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The Way We Hear It — NFL draft
Medical results could affect some players
By Nolan Nawrocki
April 25, 2006
Doctors are like scouts. Every one has a different opinion. Most teams have completed their medical meetings with team doctors, and the word from several teams with which we spoke was that the meeting was fairly clean. Some teams assign letter grades to a player’s condition, with “A” being excellent and “D” being a medical reject. Others use a 1-4 grading scale, with “1” being a newborn baby and “4” a medical reject, or vice versa, with “1” being the worst medical grade. Following are medical grades based on what we have heard from teams regarding players with medical concerns. We're using a scale in which “1” is a clean bill of health, which very few players have. Most players generally have grades ranging from 2 to 3.
Tennessee DB Jason Allen (3.5) — Several teams have said his hip condition could be degenerative and will require more healing time despite an impressive Combine performance. He's off at least three teams’ boards entirely because of injury, but some teams have cleared him.
Notre Dame TE Anthony Fasano (3) — Was initially thought to have a rod fused in his back, but the Combine re-check revealed that it was just a plate and screws. Has not missed any practice time in two years, but some doctors have said it is bound to be an issue and could not recommend drafting him any earlier than Round Three.
USC QB Matt Leinart (3) — Was cleared by a number of doctors, but his left shoulder was weaker in testing, and several teams have raised the issue as a concern.
Auburn OT Marcus McNeill (3.5) — Has a back condition that did not force him to miss any time but raised some concerns. However, it is a knee injury that has several teams more troubled. He has been cleared by enough teams not to have his draft position affected considerably.
California OT Ryan O’Callaghan (3) — Multiple shoulder injuries were mentioned by one team as a reason for concern.
Florida State LB Ernie Sims (3) — Suffered five concussions at Florida State but was cleared medically by more than six teams we spoke to, one of which said everyone cleared him after a CT scan revealed no brain damage.
Penn State CB Alan Zemaitis (4) — Structurally unsound in multiple places with shoulder and joint issues that have knocked him off at least three teams’ boards.
Walker could be dealt on Draft Day
Miami, Philadelphia and Denver are among three teams in need of a receiver and believed to be closely eyeing that position in the first round of this year’s draft. Team sources say none has yet been willing to meet the Packers' demands for dealing disgruntled WR Javon Walker — said to be first-round compensation — but do not be surprised if a trade goes down on Draft Day. The Eagles are said to be the most likely to pull the trigger on such a deal.
Several teams eying offensive linemen
Don’t be surprised if more movement occurs late in the first round than early on. A number of teams with multiple third- and fourth-round picks have been making inquiries about moving into the back end of the first round, with offensive linemen said to be the primary target. Among those players who could spur trades and are believed to be late first-round targets are Miami (Fla.) OT Eric Winston, Ohio State C Nick Mangold and Oklahoma OG Davin Joseph. Teams that have multiple middle-round picks include Houston, Buffalo, Oakland, Minnesota, San Francisco and the New York Jets —although the latter two already have two first-round slots.
Players on the rise
Following is a list of players who are rising, based on feedback we've received from teams (listed in alphabetical order with draft projection in parentheses):
Ohio State LB Bobby Carpenter (top 20 picks)
Hofstra OG Willie Colon (4)
Oregon QB Kellen Clemens (3)
Cal Poly DE-LB Chris Gocong (3)
Western Michigan WR-RS Greg Jennings (early 2)
Weber State OT Paul McQuistan (4)
Florida State WR-RS Willie Reid (3)
Players on the slide
South Carolina CB Johnathan Joseph (late 1) — Angered a lot of scouts at his pro day by going to eat with Ko Simpson while his teammates worked out, and then made scouts wait as the two of them warmed up. Was benched for two games as a junior.
LSU DT Claude Wroten (3) — Stock has been on downward spiral since January arrest for possession of marijuana (charges were later dismissed). Some teams feel he wasn't forthright about drug allegations. Could fall out of the first day despite great talent because he is so immature and has not convinced several NFL teams he can be trusted.
Medical results could affect some players
By Nolan Nawrocki
April 25, 2006
Doctors are like scouts. Every one has a different opinion. Most teams have completed their medical meetings with team doctors, and the word from several teams with which we spoke was that the meeting was fairly clean. Some teams assign letter grades to a player’s condition, with “A” being excellent and “D” being a medical reject. Others use a 1-4 grading scale, with “1” being a newborn baby and “4” a medical reject, or vice versa, with “1” being the worst medical grade. Following are medical grades based on what we have heard from teams regarding players with medical concerns. We're using a scale in which “1” is a clean bill of health, which very few players have. Most players generally have grades ranging from 2 to 3.
Tennessee DB Jason Allen (3.5) — Several teams have said his hip condition could be degenerative and will require more healing time despite an impressive Combine performance. He's off at least three teams’ boards entirely because of injury, but some teams have cleared him.
Notre Dame TE Anthony Fasano (3) — Was initially thought to have a rod fused in his back, but the Combine re-check revealed that it was just a plate and screws. Has not missed any practice time in two years, but some doctors have said it is bound to be an issue and could not recommend drafting him any earlier than Round Three.
USC QB Matt Leinart (3) — Was cleared by a number of doctors, but his left shoulder was weaker in testing, and several teams have raised the issue as a concern.
Auburn OT Marcus McNeill (3.5) — Has a back condition that did not force him to miss any time but raised some concerns. However, it is a knee injury that has several teams more troubled. He has been cleared by enough teams not to have his draft position affected considerably.
California OT Ryan O’Callaghan (3) — Multiple shoulder injuries were mentioned by one team as a reason for concern.
Florida State LB Ernie Sims (3) — Suffered five concussions at Florida State but was cleared medically by more than six teams we spoke to, one of which said everyone cleared him after a CT scan revealed no brain damage.
Penn State CB Alan Zemaitis (4) — Structurally unsound in multiple places with shoulder and joint issues that have knocked him off at least three teams’ boards.
Walker could be dealt on Draft Day
Miami, Philadelphia and Denver are among three teams in need of a receiver and believed to be closely eyeing that position in the first round of this year’s draft. Team sources say none has yet been willing to meet the Packers' demands for dealing disgruntled WR Javon Walker — said to be first-round compensation — but do not be surprised if a trade goes down on Draft Day. The Eagles are said to be the most likely to pull the trigger on such a deal.
Several teams eying offensive linemen
Don’t be surprised if more movement occurs late in the first round than early on. A number of teams with multiple third- and fourth-round picks have been making inquiries about moving into the back end of the first round, with offensive linemen said to be the primary target. Among those players who could spur trades and are believed to be late first-round targets are Miami (Fla.) OT Eric Winston, Ohio State C Nick Mangold and Oklahoma OG Davin Joseph. Teams that have multiple middle-round picks include Houston, Buffalo, Oakland, Minnesota, San Francisco and the New York Jets —although the latter two already have two first-round slots.
Players on the rise
Following is a list of players who are rising, based on feedback we've received from teams (listed in alphabetical order with draft projection in parentheses):
Ohio State LB Bobby Carpenter (top 20 picks)
Hofstra OG Willie Colon (4)
Oregon QB Kellen Clemens (3)
Cal Poly DE-LB Chris Gocong (3)
Western Michigan WR-RS Greg Jennings (early 2)
Weber State OT Paul McQuistan (4)
Florida State WR-RS Willie Reid (3)
Players on the slide
South Carolina CB Johnathan Joseph (late 1) — Angered a lot of scouts at his pro day by going to eat with Ko Simpson while his teammates worked out, and then made scouts wait as the two of them warmed up. Was benched for two games as a junior.
LSU DT Claude Wroten (3) — Stock has been on downward spiral since January arrest for possession of marijuana (charges were later dismissed). Some teams feel he wasn't forthright about drug allegations. Could fall out of the first day despite great talent because he is so immature and has not convinced several NFL teams he can be trusted.
