Experts panel back in session ... The 2010 draft

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GREAT BLUE NORTH DRAFT PANEL



http://www.gbnreport.com/draftpanel.htm
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The 2010 draft is just weeks away, however, there is still plenty of sorting out to be done before the picks starting coming off the board on April 22nd. With that in mind, we several of the most pressing questions to our panel of draft experts including veteran draft analyst Frank Coyle, whose NFL Draft Insiders is in its 19th year; even more veteran draft analyst Jerry Jones, whose Drugstore List is now in its 33rd year of publication; and Scott Wright, one of the rising stars of the draft world whose NFL Draft Countdown is one of the most popular draft sites out there. For this edition, former NFL scout Russ Lande, aka GM jr., who also currently has a weekly mock draft at The Sporting News, had to take a pass to take care of other pressing business.


March 19, 2010


Question 1: What if anything does the disclosure of Rolando McClain's illness do to his draft grade?

The panel was the place to go to get an answer to this question as Jerry Jones, long-time editor of the Drugstore List is in fact a pharmacist in his other life. Who could have guessed! According to Jones, who consulted with wife Judy who is still a working pharmacist herself, “there is no definitive pattern to the condition. Each case is separate and some individuals have been very successful controlling it; others have gone downhill swiftly, though, although mostly due to neglecting the problem. On McClain, I would guess that some NFL people already knew about it. In McClain’s favor are his youth and physical condition. He certainly didn’t look unhealthy in that final BCS game.” Jones added though that there is a possible “ugly truth” that NFL will be concerned if they aren’t sure they can keep the guy healthy for 4-5 years.

On the other hand, NFL Draft Countdown’s Scott Wright admitted that he doesn’t know much about Crohn’s, but “like NFL teams I will have to go back and do some research to see how it may affect him long-term. That said, the early indications seem to be that it won't have a huge effect on McClain's stock and he still looks like a mid-first round pick. However, McClain isn't the Top 10 pick some draftniks have made him out to be. In fact, inside linebackers have a tendancy to slip a bit on Draft Day. Just ask guys like DeMeco Ryans, Paul Posluszny, James Laurinaitis and Rey Maualuga.” For his part, Frank Coyle doesn’t think the revelation of McClain’s illness will hurt his stock all that much if at all. According to Coyle, McClain has dealt with the problen since high school, but has still “performed brilliantly over his entire career. He’s still a Top 10-12 selection overall.”

Question #2: Staying with the SEC for a moment, what the heck happened to Joe Haden at the combine and what does a 4.6 40 do to his draft grade? And will the fact he ran better at the Gators’ pro day get him back on track?

Scott Wright says he “talked with some people who train prospects for the combine and Haden definitely had some technical issues that contributed to his lackluster time, plus he was reportedly battling an injury.” Jerry Jones also heard that Haden had been bothered by some kind of hamstring problem. All three of the panelists, though, indicated they were surprised by Haden’s poor showing at the combine with Wright calling the “the biggest shock in Indianapolis. All three panelists though thought Haden was still the easily the best CB prospect in the 2010 draft class and none thought he was going to drop much below the middle of the opening round even if he wasn’t able to on his combine time at the Gators’ pro day. And with Haden running under 4.5 on slow, chewed up track at his on-campus workout, all three also expect to see him back pushing for a top 10 selection. Jones, for example, described Haden as “the best corner in the draft who was rarely burned in the talent-rich SEC.

Question #3: Is there one (or more) guys on your board that you think is way underrated?

Frank Coyle, the ‘real’ and original Draft Insider didn’t hesitate to name Georgia Tech WR Demaryius Thomas, who hasn’t been able to work out this spring because of a broken foot, but is “a big time talent.” Coyle also named California RB Jahvid Best who he describes as ”an explosive back with impact ability. His late season injury cost him valuable time, but he is a top playmaker who gets a club a home run threat.” For his part, Scott Wright has some props for USC safety Taylor Mays, one of the more picked over players in the 2010 draft class. According to Wright Mays “is being underrated right now as everyone overanalyzes his game. The key with Mays is expectations. If you want a ball-hawking safety then Mays isn't your guy as he is more of an intimidator than a playmaker. However, if you want a big, fast, physical strong safety who can be a force in the box but also has the range to drop into coverage they don't come much better than Mays. The bottom line is that while Mays certainly has some faults he also has a lot of strengths that people seem to be ignoring and you just aren't going to find a 6-3, 230-pound safety with legit 4.2 speed in every draft. I also think Oklahoma TE Jermaine Gresham isn't getting the attention he deserves and in my opinion he is a Top 20 talent in this draft. Others who I think are being underrated include Washington LB Donald Butler, Ole Miss DE Greg Hardy, T.C.U. OT Marshall Newhouse, Illinois TE Michael Hoomanawanui and Oregon CB Walter Thurmond. Meanwhile, like all top pharmacists, Jerry Jones wants to keep his picks close to his vest as he in the process of putting the final touches on his annual final draft report and doesn’t want to give any secrets away!

Question #4: With so many important pro days on the schedule this year we asked the guys “If you had a chance to be at one pro day this month which one would it be!”

There was no question in Frank Coyle’s mind that Florida was the place to be. Gators QB Tim Tebow, CB Joe Haden, and DE Carlos Dunlap “all have big questions that must be addressed to warrant a high status. Tebow will show new delivery that will effect his ranking, while Haden must run well and Dunlap gets a last chance to shine and show that his fine athletic ability should outweigh his somewhat inconsistent effort and productivity over his career. Scott Wright also chose the Gators and may have even been mre definitive. According to Wright: “Even beyond the obvious Tim Tebow aspect of the Florida por day, the Gators are absolutely loaded with talent. A big story will be whether or not Joe Haden can improve on his forty time (he did) and we will also finally get to see Brandon Spikes, Aaron Hernandez and Jermaine Cunningham run for the first time as well. Then there is also Maurkice Pouncey, Carlos Dunlap, Riley Cooper, Major Wright. Those eight prospects are all ticketed for the Top 3 Rounds and I don't think another Pro Day can compete with that. Jerry Jones, on the other hand, would choice either Alabama, Oklahoma or LSU based on sheer talent.
 
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