Heath Benedict--Newberry

[Doomsdayblitz]

For any of you who have never heard of this guy, join the club. Once I checked him out, though, man, what a beast! If I know JJ like I think I do, he is going to want to trade the #28 pick down for an extra pick, especially with the CB & WR crops the deepest they've been in years.
If he does get an extra 3rd, he may very well want to think seriously about grabbing this guy. I know Columbo plays as hard as he can, but I just wonder if we can improve on that side of the line. Anyway, here's what Consensus Draft Services has to say about Benedict:

Overview​

Heath is a transfer from Tennessee and has been one of the most dominant player in D2. He may be the first division II player taken in the 2008 draft. He received a 6th-round grade from the NFL Advisory Board last year. He was named second team All-American by Daktronics for the second year in a row, and is one of four repeat Little All-American first teamers this season. In his past two All-American seasons, the Indians compiled a record of 20-4 and were South Atlantic Conference champions in 2006. One of the fastest OTs at the Combine and had an amazing 1.71 10-yard split which really caught people's eye.
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Strengths​

Quality ROT candidate. This guy is a monster. He weighes in at 6' 5.5" 332 pounds and runs a 5.08 forty yard dash. He has great strengh bench 435 pound, squat 625 pound, power clean 330. He also has the speed and agility to move people out of the way when run blocking. He also slides and uses his hands well in pass protection. Has played well wherever he's been including the post-season Senior Bowl. Foot fast, and game fast, Nasty streak. Has the look of a 10-year starter at ROT, despite his resume.​

Weaknesses​

His technique is going to have to improve dramatically to be successful at the next level. He will not be able to bully defensive lineman in the NFL. His level of competition is also a cause for concern. He has all the tools but needs to be coached up, do a better job of keeping his balance and go for the throat even more often than he does now.​

Projection​

Played well in the 2008 Under Armour Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., on January 26, 2008, and stood out at the Combine. Could sneak into the second round, but is more likely a 3-4th rounder.​

I tried to upload his picture, but failed. Here is the link:
C:\Documents and Settings\HP_Owner\My Documents\My Pictures\BenedictTheState.jpg
Check out the guns on this guy!!

 

[ThatsmyQB]

I have heard of Benedict and had him listed as a 5th rounder prior to combine, would take him in round 4 now but no higher.

Weaknesses​

His technique is going to have to improve dramatically to be successful at the next level. He will not be able to bully defensive lineman in the NFL. His level of competition is also a cause for concern. He has all the tools but needs to be coached up, do a better job of keeping his balance and go for the throat even more often than he does now.

Looks like all he needs is to improve technique and be coached up a bit, he has all the other intangibles, and with solid coaching from houck, could be a real steal in round 4 if he's there.
I wouldnt' take him higher only cause we have other needs right now and personally I don't even think we should have ANY O.T.'s on our draft board on draft day since there's no room for any on our roster with Flozell and Columbo as the starters and we're most likely only gonna keep 2 more tackles in Doug Free and James Marten, and we also Have McQuistan if need be to play tackle also, so I can't see us drafting ANY O.T. on draft day since there's simply no room on our roster for that position, same reason I think T.E. and I.L.B. will be scratched off our draft board too!​

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[TheCount]

I tried to upload his picture, but failed. Here is the link:
C:\Documents and Settings\HP_Owner\My Documents\My Pictures\BenedictTheState.jpg
Check out the guns on this guy!!

Yeah, Hos is really high on Heath, I agree though that I wouldn't grab him before the 4th, late 3rd at the earliest, I think he'd be a work in progress and we already have too many big projects as is, I'd like something a little more polished.