Front Office Football Central - View Single Post - Straight Outta The Box: Chief Rum Takes Over The FOF 2004 Cards

Chief Rum · 12-17-2003, 06:31 PM

Men In The Trenches Draft Overview

CENTER

By Grade

# 6.0 Or Above: 0
# 4.0 Or Above: 7

Avg Grade Top 4: 5.0
Avg Grade Top 9: 4.4

Best Players

Keith Foster, Southern Mississippi (5.4) (26/63) One of the best combination of strength and agility in the draft, although he isn't the best at either by itself. He is a polished blocker in both phases of the game. Could use more natural strength in his blocking, as well as endurance. Considered a very safe pick (3% Vol). Mid-second rounder.

Lionel Perez, North Carolina (5.1) (35/56) Quick, agile and strong, but dumb as an ox. Perfect stereotypical lineman.

A bit undersized at 5'10", and this shows as he is a bette rpass blocker than run blocker. He also could use more blocking strength, although he is very durable. Also considered to be a very safe pick (7% Vol). He seems to be the best prepared center to play from the get-go in the NFL. Mid-to-late second rounder.

Most Ready To Step In Perez
Biggest Project With Nice Upside Trent Brady, Hawaii
Sleeper Pick Myron Richardson, Iowa
Bust Pick Oliver Nelson, California

Comments: Although this position lacks true top talent, it is fairly consistent at the top, with a very steady decline in talent. Teams will be able to get a center for not much less than the last one picked, assuming those with the most talent are picked first.

GUARD

By Grade

# 6.0 Or Above: 2
# 4.0 Or Above: 8

Avg Grade Top 6: 5.4
Avg Grade Top 13: 4.6

Best Players

Will Nickell, Washington (7.3) (41/80) Nickell brings it all. He is quick, agile, smart and strong. He has better than 5.0 speed. There is very little he can't do. He hits with force and he can make all the blocks. He's even durable. And no one thinks he will bust (2% Vol). Top 10 pick.

Kim Deskiewicz, Arkansas-Pine Bluff (7.0) (34/80) Although his size does not seem outwardly larger than that of most NFL lineman, "The Desk" is a freakishly strong prospect, and he will likely be among the annual candidates for the Strong Man award. What makes him scary, though, is that he is also the most agile player at his position. He is not a Rhodes Scholar, and will need help learning the game. He has the potential to develop into a dominating lineman who can do it all. Top 15 pick.

Most Ready To Step In Nickell
Biggest Project With Nice Upside Terrelle Hoffman, Nebraska
Sleeper Pick Kendall Benson, Central Washington
Bust Pick Richie Owen, Baylor

Comments: There are two terrific standouts ont op, and then a clifflike drop in talent to the next tier. That next level is fairly steady and level, but it is a good deal back of the top two.

TACKLE

By Grade

# 6.0 Or Above: 3
# 4.0 Or Above: 15

Avg Grade Top 6: 5.8
Avg Grade Top 13: 4.9

Best Players

Mitchell Jennings, Indiana (7.3) (41/79) He is massive, fast andf strong, probably leading the tackle position in all three qualities. He is a halfwit mentally, but he knows enough to block. His speed and strength allows him to be dominating on sweeps, but he could be more agile. While he is a slightly better run blocker than pass blocker, he really can do it all. The consummate all-around lineman. And he is considered a solid and safe pick (11% Vol). Candidate for top pick.

Gus Horner, Vanderbilt (6.4) (31/74) Horner is the ideal pass blocker. He possesses far more agility than any other tackle in this draft, and has as much natural strength as anyone except Strong Man candidates Jennings and Compton (reviewed later). He is also a good deal smarter than Jennings, although that's not all that hard to be. His run blocking needs work, but otherwise he has no holes in his game. Top 10 pick.

Tommy Compton, Kentucky (6.3) (31/73) As smart as Horner and almost as agile. Just short of Jenning's massive strength and amazing foot speed. Compton puts together bits and parts from the other top tackles to form a happy do-everything medium. On top of that, he is just as good at one block as another, he lasts long in games, and he is considered an extremely safe pick (6% Vol). Top 10 pick.

Most Ready To Step In Jennings
Biggest Project With Nice Upside Cole Kelley, Colorado
Sleeper Pick Daryl Mack, Augustana
Bust Pick Andy Crider, Penn State

Comments: This is a deep position, although it falls off a bit after the top three. Still, there are a ton of quality tackles available here. No team that needs a tackle should go wanting after this draft.

DEFENSIVE END

By Grade

# 6.0 Or Above: 0
# 4.0 Or Above: 9

Avg Grade Top 6: 5.0
Avg Grade Top 13: 4.4

Best Players

Norman Sonntag, Arizona (5.7) (30/66) Sonntag is lightning quick from the snap, and is one of the strongest ends in this draft. He is also agile and smart. He can stand up to the run with the best of them, and displays excellent pass rush technique. He lack play diagnostic skills, though, which will cause him to overrun plays at times, and he doesn't have the natural pass rush strength he needs to beat the big tackles. Considered a fairly safe pick (22% Vol). Mid-first rounder.

Lewis Jones, Pittsburgh (5.5) (25/64) Jones doesn't wow with his physical skills or his mental outlook, but the guy just does it all. He displays good technique, can work up a strong pass rush, can read offenses well, and hits like a truck. He is the classic effort lineman, who seems to get things done with hard work as much as talent. Thought to be almost as safe a pick as Sonntag (26% Vol). Mid-first rounder.

Dean Maxwell, Central Florida (5.2) (34/59) Maxwell comes in rated as the strongest derfensive end, and yet he is expected to be a better pass rusher than run defender. He doesn't look to be a slouch in either, though. His play diagnostic skills could use some work, but otherwise he is fairly polished player. He is considered quite a bit of a risk, though (81% Vol). Mid-to-late first rounder.

Bart Lofton, California (4.9) (28/57) Lofton is a study in opposites. He is more of a glorified pass rushing outside linebacker at 5'11" 241, but he excels in his duties at end not because of speed--at which he is fairly poor--but because he is extremely strong for a man his size. He uses that strength very effectively in the pass rush, and can make all the moves. His problem is picking the plays, as he is terrible at reading offenses. Late first rounder.

Most Ready To Step In Maxwell
Biggest Project With Nice Upside Brent Ogle, Northwestern
Sleeper Pick Jerald Washington, Minnesota
Bust Pick Chuck Halapin, Rutgers

Comments: This position lacks the truly dominant end of some other draft years, but there are still some fairly high grade ends here--just not Top 10 material. Like other positions, the talent level falls with some consistency. Unlike other positions, the bar is set higher, so quality ends could be had later.

DEFENSIVE TACKLE

By Grade

# 6.0 Or Above: 2
# 4.0 Or Above: 6

Avg Grade Top 6: 5.2
Avg Grade Top 13: 4.3

Best Players

Lenny Wilson, Butler (7.0) (51/73) Wilson is fleet of foot, agile as just about any defensive tackle in this draft, and the strongest of them all. He is also no dummy. He has nice size (311 lb), and is one of the most ready players for the NFL in this draft at any position. He does everything in the trenches, stuffing the run and providing a strong pass rush. He also reads plays well and hits hard. The one downer is that he is thought by some scouts to be a risky pick (72% Vol). That could just be matched by his immense potential, though. Top 5 pick.

Barry Maciokas, Washington (6.0) (30/68) He might be an even more impressive physical specimen than Wilson, since he a touch faster and more agile, while not much behind Wilson in pure strength. He is also one of the smarter players at the position. He doesn't come into the league nearly as polished as Wilson, though, and he could be stronger in the pass rush and in reading plays. Top 15 pick.

Grady Lyon, Memphis (5.5) (25/66) Lyon has more massive girth (325 lb) than either Wilson or Maciokas, and yet he moves himself around very nimbly. He is porbably the most agile defensive tackle in this draft. He falters in other areas, though, as he isn't as fast, strong or smart as the top two at his position. He is very stout against the run and calls plays very well from the line. His weakness is in the pass rush, where he needs a lot of work on his technique, and even if he gets that done, he doesn't rally have the strength needed to efectively bull rush. Mid first rounder.

Most Ready To Step In Wilson
Biggest Project With Nice Upside Lyon
Sleeper Pick Carlton Torres, Princeton
Bust Pick Alex West, Virginia Tech

Comments: There are some nice players at the top, and the talent drop is steady. The problem is that steadiness is combined with a sharp decline. There are very few top quality defensive tackles after the best of the bunch.

CR

12-17-2003, 06:31 PM	#218
Chief Rum Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Where Hip Hop lives	Men In The Trenches Draft Overview CENTER By Grade # 6.0 Or Above: 0 # 4.0 Or Above: 7 Avg Grade Top 4: 5.0 Avg Grade Top 9: 4.4 Best Players Keith Foster, Southern Mississippi (5.4) (26/63) One of the best combination of strength and agility in the draft, although he isn't the best at either by itself. He is a polished blocker in both phases of the game. Could use more natural strength in his blocking, as well as endurance. Considered a very safe pick (3% Vol). Mid-second rounder. Lionel Perez, North Carolina (5.1) (35/56) Quick, agile and strong, but dumb as an ox. Perfect stereotypical lineman. A bit undersized at 5'10", and this shows as he is a bette rpass blocker than run blocker. He also could use more blocking strength, although he is very durable. Also considered to be a very safe pick (7% Vol). He seems to be the best prepared center to play from the get-go in the NFL. Mid-to-late second rounder. Most Ready To Step In Perez Biggest Project With Nice Upside Trent Brady, Hawaii Sleeper Pick Myron Richardson, Iowa Bust Pick Oliver Nelson, California Comments: Although this position lacks true top talent, it is fairly consistent at the top, with a very steady decline in talent. Teams will be able to get a center for not much less than the last one picked, assuming those with the most talent are picked first. GUARD By Grade # 6.0 Or Above: 2 # 4.0 Or Above: 8 Avg Grade Top 6: 5.4 Avg Grade Top 13: 4.6 Best Players Will Nickell, Washington (7.3) (41/80) Nickell brings it all. He is quick, agile, smart and strong. He has better than 5.0 speed. There is very little he can't do. He hits with force and he can make all the blocks. He's even durable. And no one thinks he will bust (2% Vol). Top 10 pick. Kim Deskiewicz, Arkansas-Pine Bluff (7.0) (34/80) Although his size does not seem outwardly larger than that of most NFL lineman, "The Desk" is a freakishly strong prospect, and he will likely be among the annual candidates for the Strong Man award. What makes him scary, though, is that he is also the most agile player at his position. He is not a Rhodes Scholar, and will need help learning the game. He has the potential to develop into a dominating lineman who can do it all. Top 15 pick. Most Ready To Step In Nickell Biggest Project With Nice Upside Terrelle Hoffman, Nebraska Sleeper Pick Kendall Benson, Central Washington Bust Pick Richie Owen, Baylor Comments: There are two terrific standouts ont op, and then a clifflike drop in talent to the next tier. That next level is fairly steady and level, but it is a good deal back of the top two. TACKLE By Grade # 6.0 Or Above: 3 # 4.0 Or Above: 15 Avg Grade Top 6: 5.8 Avg Grade Top 13: 4.9 Best Players Mitchell Jennings, Indiana (7.3) (41/79) He is massive, fast andf strong, probably leading the tackle position in all three qualities. He is a halfwit mentally, but he knows enough to block. His speed and strength allows him to be dominating on sweeps, but he could be more agile. While he is a slightly better run blocker than pass blocker, he really can do it all. The consummate all-around lineman. And he is considered a solid and safe pick (11% Vol). Candidate for top pick. Gus Horner, Vanderbilt (6.4) (31/74) Horner is the ideal pass blocker. He possesses far more agility than any other tackle in this draft, and has as much natural strength as anyone except Strong Man candidates Jennings and Compton (reviewed later). He is also a good deal smarter than Jennings, although that's not all that hard to be. His run blocking needs work, but otherwise he has no holes in his game. Top 10 pick. Tommy Compton, Kentucky (6.3) (31/73) As smart as Horner and almost as agile. Just short of Jenning's massive strength and amazing foot speed. Compton puts together bits and parts from the other top tackles to form a happy do-everything medium. On top of that, he is just as good at one block as another, he lasts long in games, and he is considered an extremely safe pick (6% Vol). Top 10 pick. Most Ready To Step In Jennings Biggest Project With Nice Upside Cole Kelley, Colorado Sleeper Pick Daryl Mack, Augustana Bust Pick Andy Crider, Penn State Comments: This is a deep position, although it falls off a bit after the top three. Still, there are a ton of quality tackles available here. No team that needs a tackle should go wanting after this draft. DEFENSIVE END By Grade # 6.0 Or Above: 0 # 4.0 Or Above: 9 Avg Grade Top 6: 5.0 Avg Grade Top 13: 4.4 Best Players Norman Sonntag, Arizona (5.7) (30/66) Sonntag is lightning quick from the snap, and is one of the strongest ends in this draft. He is also agile and smart. He can stand up to the run with the best of them, and displays excellent pass rush technique. He lack play diagnostic skills, though, which will cause him to overrun plays at times, and he doesn't have the natural pass rush strength he needs to beat the big tackles. Considered a fairly safe pick (22% Vol). Mid-first rounder. Lewis Jones, Pittsburgh (5.5) (25/64) Jones doesn't wow with his physical skills or his mental outlook, but the guy just does it all. He displays good technique, can work up a strong pass rush, can read offenses well, and hits like a truck. He is the classic effort lineman, who seems to get things done with hard work as much as talent. Thought to be almost as safe a pick as Sonntag (26% Vol). Mid-first rounder. Dean Maxwell, Central Florida (5.2) (34/59) Maxwell comes in rated as the strongest derfensive end, and yet he is expected to be a better pass rusher than run defender. He doesn't look to be a slouch in either, though. His play diagnostic skills could use some work, but otherwise he is fairly polished player. He is considered quite a bit of a risk, though (81% Vol). Mid-to-late first rounder. Bart Lofton, California (4.9) (28/57) Lofton is a study in opposites. He is more of a glorified pass rushing outside linebacker at 5'11" 241, but he excels in his duties at end not because of speed--at which he is fairly poor--but because he is extremely strong for a man his size. He uses that strength very effectively in the pass rush, and can make all the moves. His problem is picking the plays, as he is terrible at reading offenses. Late first rounder. Most Ready To Step In Maxwell Biggest Project With Nice Upside Brent Ogle, Northwestern Sleeper Pick Jerald Washington, Minnesota Bust Pick Chuck Halapin, Rutgers Comments: This position lacks the truly dominant end of some other draft years, but there are still some fairly high grade ends here--just not Top 10 material. Like other positions, the talent level falls with some consistency. Unlike other positions, the bar is set higher, so quality ends could be had later. DEFENSIVE TACKLE By Grade # 6.0 Or Above: 2 # 4.0 Or Above: 6 Avg Grade Top 6: 5.2 Avg Grade Top 13: 4.3 Best Players Lenny Wilson, Butler (7.0) (51/73) Wilson is fleet of foot, agile as just about any defensive tackle in this draft, and the strongest of them all. He is also no dummy. He has nice size (311 lb), and is one of the most ready players for the NFL in this draft at any position. He does everything in the trenches, stuffing the run and providing a strong pass rush. He also reads plays well and hits hard. The one downer is that he is thought by some scouts to be a risky pick (72% Vol). That could just be matched by his immense potential, though. Top 5 pick. Barry Maciokas, Washington (6.0) (30/68) He might be an even more impressive physical specimen than Wilson, since he a touch faster and more agile, while not much behind Wilson in pure strength. He is also one of the smarter players at the position. He doesn't come into the league nearly as polished as Wilson, though, and he could be stronger in the pass rush and in reading plays. Top 15 pick. Grady Lyon, Memphis (5.5) (25/66) Lyon has more massive girth (325 lb) than either Wilson or Maciokas, and yet he moves himself around very nimbly. He is porbably the most agile defensive tackle in this draft. He falters in other areas, though, as he isn't as fast, strong or smart as the top two at his position. He is very stout against the run and calls plays very well from the line. His weakness is in the pass rush, where he needs a lot of work on his technique, and even if he gets that done, he doesn't rally have the strength needed to efectively bull rush. Mid first rounder. Most Ready To Step In Wilson Biggest Project With Nice Upside Lyon Sleeper Pick Carlton Torres, Princeton Bust Pick Alex West, Virginia Tech Comments: There are some nice players at the top, and the talent drop is steady. The problem is that steadiness is combined with a sharp decline. There are very few top quality defensive tackles after the best of the bunch. CR __________________ . . I would rather be wrong...Than live in the shadows of your song...My mind is open wide...And now I'm ready to start...You're not sure...You open the door...And step out into the dark...Now I'm ready.