Semiskin
01-05-2004, 10:36 AM
1. Eli Manning, QB, Ole Miss (6-4, 210)
2. Roy Williams, WR, Texas (6-4, 213)
3. Ben Roethlisberger (jr.), QB, Miami-Ohio (6-5, 245)
4. Robert Gallery, OT, Iowa (6-7, 318)
5. Sean Taylor (jr.), S, Miami-Florida (6-2¼, 225)
Taylor is to the safety spot at Miami what Ray Lewis was to the middle-linebacker position. He follows in the footsteps of former Miami safeties Bennie Blades, Darryl Williams and Ed Reed (all were first-round picks). I expect Taylor to be even better. In fact, he could be the best safety in the NFL early in his career. Taylor is the prototypical Pro Bowl safety: tremendous speed, a nose for the ball, aggressive, a great tackler and terrific in coverage (team-leading nine interceptions). He has such tremendous instincts and awareness. Worthy of being a top-five pick.
6. Kellen Winslow Jr. (jr.), TE, Miami-Florida (6-4¼, 250)
The NFL tight-end position has been redefined and expanded in recent years by guys like Todd Heap, Jeremy Shockey and Tony Gonzalez. Winslow is in that mold as well. He has the speed, athleticism and pass-receiving skill usually reserved for a wide receiver. Miami's quarterback play in 2003 was erratic, which affected Winslow's production, but he'll provide an unbelievable dimension to an NFL passing game. He can be careless in terms of ball security, so he'll need to be aware of that at the next level. Like his teammate, safety Sean Taylor, Winslow is worthy of being a top-five pick.
7. Will Smith, DE, Ohio State (6-3½, 255)
Smith is an excellent natural pass rusher with great closing speed. He was the headliner on the Buckeyes' stellar defensive front seven during last season's national-championship run (recording 10½ tackles for loss and 4½ sacks). Had he declared for the 2003 draft, he probably would have been a late first-rounder. In '04 he's a likely early first-round pick.
8. Reggie Williams (jr.), WR, Washington (6-3½, 218)
9. Shawn Andrews (jr.), OT, Arkansas (6-5, 360)
10. Steven Jackson (jr.), RB, Oregon State (6-2, 231)
Jackson is a tremendous blend of quickness and power. While he isn't as shifty or elusive as smaller backs, he runs with power and makes defenders miss with his athleticism. Jackson also has ability and versatility as a receiving option (39 receptions in 2003 to go with his 1,396 rushing yards). He does damage in the open field and has a nose for the end zone (15 rushing TDs plus two receiving TDs). Jackson gets better as the game goes along.
11. Kevin Jones (jr.), RB, Virginia Tech (5-11½, 210)
Jones is an explosive runner with game-breaking speed. In the open field, few cornerbacks can catch him. He has the ability to stop on a dime and change direction. Plus, he's a good pass-receiver out of the backfield and is a strong blocker, making him a complete player. A tremendous natural athlete, Jones was highly recruited out of high school. In fact, he was seen by most as the nation's best high-school running back in his class. The only concern is that his running style is a bit upright, but he's excelled despite an average offensive line (except for center Jake Grove, who is outstanding).
12. Jonathan Vilma, LB, Miami-Florida (6-2, 230)
13. D.J. Williams, OLB, Miami-Florida (6-2, 240)
14. Ben Troupe, TE, Florida (6-4¼, 260)
Troupe is an imposing figure and a gifted athlete. In 2003, he hauled in 39 receptions, averaging 16.4 yards per catch with five TDs. Last season, he caught just 15 passes while sharing time with current NFL tight end Aaron Walker. As Troupe maximizes his ability and refines his pass-catching game, he will become a high-quality NFL tight end. Coming into the season, I envisioned him as a first- or second-round draft choice. Now, I expect him to be a solid first-rounder.
15. Karlos Dansby, OLB, Auburn (6-4, 225)
16. J.P. Losman, QB, Tulane (6-2½, 220)
17. Will Poole, CB, USC (5-11, 190)
18. Philip Rivers, QB, N.C. State (6-4½, 230)
19. DeAngelo Hall (jr.), CB, Virginia Tech (5-10½, 196)
20. Dwan Edwards, DT, Oregon State (6-2½, 308)
21. Jake Grove, C, Virginia Tech (6-3, 300)
22. Ricardo Colclough, CB, Tusculum (5-11, 186) |
23. Chris Perry, RB, Michigan (6-0½, 225)
24. Dunta Robinson, CB, South Carolina (5-11, 188)
These are all seniors or juniors who have declared for the draft. Notice Vince Wilfork is not on the list. Tommie Harris is not on here because he has yet to declare. There were blurbs for each player but I decided to omit them because it is from a pay site, only left them in for players who I thought would be of interest to us.
2. Roy Williams, WR, Texas (6-4, 213)
3. Ben Roethlisberger (jr.), QB, Miami-Ohio (6-5, 245)
4. Robert Gallery, OT, Iowa (6-7, 318)
5. Sean Taylor (jr.), S, Miami-Florida (6-2¼, 225)
Taylor is to the safety spot at Miami what Ray Lewis was to the middle-linebacker position. He follows in the footsteps of former Miami safeties Bennie Blades, Darryl Williams and Ed Reed (all were first-round picks). I expect Taylor to be even better. In fact, he could be the best safety in the NFL early in his career. Taylor is the prototypical Pro Bowl safety: tremendous speed, a nose for the ball, aggressive, a great tackler and terrific in coverage (team-leading nine interceptions). He has such tremendous instincts and awareness. Worthy of being a top-five pick.
6. Kellen Winslow Jr. (jr.), TE, Miami-Florida (6-4¼, 250)
The NFL tight-end position has been redefined and expanded in recent years by guys like Todd Heap, Jeremy Shockey and Tony Gonzalez. Winslow is in that mold as well. He has the speed, athleticism and pass-receiving skill usually reserved for a wide receiver. Miami's quarterback play in 2003 was erratic, which affected Winslow's production, but he'll provide an unbelievable dimension to an NFL passing game. He can be careless in terms of ball security, so he'll need to be aware of that at the next level. Like his teammate, safety Sean Taylor, Winslow is worthy of being a top-five pick.
7. Will Smith, DE, Ohio State (6-3½, 255)
Smith is an excellent natural pass rusher with great closing speed. He was the headliner on the Buckeyes' stellar defensive front seven during last season's national-championship run (recording 10½ tackles for loss and 4½ sacks). Had he declared for the 2003 draft, he probably would have been a late first-rounder. In '04 he's a likely early first-round pick.
8. Reggie Williams (jr.), WR, Washington (6-3½, 218)
9. Shawn Andrews (jr.), OT, Arkansas (6-5, 360)
10. Steven Jackson (jr.), RB, Oregon State (6-2, 231)
Jackson is a tremendous blend of quickness and power. While he isn't as shifty or elusive as smaller backs, he runs with power and makes defenders miss with his athleticism. Jackson also has ability and versatility as a receiving option (39 receptions in 2003 to go with his 1,396 rushing yards). He does damage in the open field and has a nose for the end zone (15 rushing TDs plus two receiving TDs). Jackson gets better as the game goes along.
11. Kevin Jones (jr.), RB, Virginia Tech (5-11½, 210)
Jones is an explosive runner with game-breaking speed. In the open field, few cornerbacks can catch him. He has the ability to stop on a dime and change direction. Plus, he's a good pass-receiver out of the backfield and is a strong blocker, making him a complete player. A tremendous natural athlete, Jones was highly recruited out of high school. In fact, he was seen by most as the nation's best high-school running back in his class. The only concern is that his running style is a bit upright, but he's excelled despite an average offensive line (except for center Jake Grove, who is outstanding).
12. Jonathan Vilma, LB, Miami-Florida (6-2, 230)
13. D.J. Williams, OLB, Miami-Florida (6-2, 240)
14. Ben Troupe, TE, Florida (6-4¼, 260)
Troupe is an imposing figure and a gifted athlete. In 2003, he hauled in 39 receptions, averaging 16.4 yards per catch with five TDs. Last season, he caught just 15 passes while sharing time with current NFL tight end Aaron Walker. As Troupe maximizes his ability and refines his pass-catching game, he will become a high-quality NFL tight end. Coming into the season, I envisioned him as a first- or second-round draft choice. Now, I expect him to be a solid first-rounder.
15. Karlos Dansby, OLB, Auburn (6-4, 225)
16. J.P. Losman, QB, Tulane (6-2½, 220)
17. Will Poole, CB, USC (5-11, 190)
18. Philip Rivers, QB, N.C. State (6-4½, 230)
19. DeAngelo Hall (jr.), CB, Virginia Tech (5-10½, 196)
20. Dwan Edwards, DT, Oregon State (6-2½, 308)
21. Jake Grove, C, Virginia Tech (6-3, 300)
22. Ricardo Colclough, CB, Tusculum (5-11, 186) |
23. Chris Perry, RB, Michigan (6-0½, 225)
24. Dunta Robinson, CB, South Carolina (5-11, 188)
These are all seniors or juniors who have declared for the draft. Notice Vince Wilfork is not on the list. Tommie Harris is not on here because he has yet to declare. There were blurbs for each player but I decided to omit them because it is from a pay site, only left them in for players who I thought would be of interest to us.