Update III: Post-NFL Combine & FA pick-ups (Jon Kitna-QB, Keith Brookings-ILB).....
2. Ron Brace - NT, 6-3 330, Boston College
Post-Combine Skinny: While his teammate, B.J. Raji, remained the top tackle prospect, Brace showed that he can be just as much of a brick wall against the run. He checked in at a huge 330 pounds, and he ran a glacier slow 5.52, but he came up with 32 bench presses.
Positives: Extremely quick for his size … Can play just about anywhere on the line at any time. Could be a huge end in a 3-4 … Really tough. Can’t be blocked by one player on a regular basis.
Negatives: Not a pass rusher despite his athleticism … Weight has to be held in check. He can’t get any bigger … Concerns about a back problem. (per Scout.com)
3. (from Browns) David Bruton - S, 6-2 220, Notre Dame
Post-Combine Skinny: It was a special workout from a high-rising prospect. He was big, fast, and smooth with a 41.5" vertical, an 11-foot broad jump, and a lightning quick 60-yard drill. Originally considered a late second day prospect, he looked like a second rounder.
Positives: A standout on the Irish D with a great combination of size and speed … Excellent tackler. Looked like he was playing at another level at times … Great character. Will bust his tail to get better.
Negatives: Not a tone-setting hitter. A good hitter, but not an elite one … Needs to be a more consistent tackler … Will have to show he can stay with an NFL receiver. (per Scout.com)
4a. (from Lions) David Veikune - OLB/RushDE, 6-2 257, Hawaii
Post-Combine Skinny: He was a bit shorter than expected. That was the only knock for one of the high-risers on defense. His 4.87 40 was good enough, and his quickness and athleticism stood out in the short drills, but the real eye-popper was the bench ... 35 lifts.
Positives: Fast. Quick. Always around the ball … Could be a superior pass rusher if he has someone else of note on the other side … Productive
Negatives: An outside linebacker. He’ll likely have to be an end in a 4-3, otherwise he’s a 3-4 linebacker … Not big and doesn’t have room to get much bigger. (per Scout.com)
4b. Jason Phillips - ILB, 6-1 240, TCU
Post-Combine Skinny: It was a surprising performance from a defender pigeon-holed into the inside. He was far, far more athletic than expected with a fantastic 4.32 time in the shuttle and an explosive 10-foot jump in the long jump. He didn't always look smooth, but he helped himself in a big way by showing he could be used in a variety of ways.
Positives: A fighter. Fiesty leader … Good instincts. Knows where he’s supposed to be … Tough. Will battle to get to the ball.
Negatives: Not a form tackler … Decent quickness, but he might only be an inside linebacker … Will need to be surrounded by athletes. (per Scout.com)
5a. Roy Miller - NT, 6-1 310, Texas
Post-Combine Skinny: He did exactly what he needed to do. For a prospect who's bread will be buttered on his strength and his ability to hold up on the inside, the 36 reps in the weight room was key. He was smooth enough to look like more than a brick wall and he ran relatively well.
Positives: Vastly underrated producer because he wasn’t as flashy as others on the Longhorn line … Tough. Wants to eat up the run … Willing to do anything. A football player.Negatives: A try-hard type without the raw skills to be a star … Not quick. Will have to be used as a run stopper … Will be erased at times by big, athletic NFL blockers. (per Scout.com)
5b. (from Titans) Joe Burnett - CB, 5-10 190, UCF
Post-Combine Skinny: His money will mostly be made as a key backup corner and on special teams, and with a 4.49, he showed he could be a returner. Few were as quick in the short drills as he blew though the shuttle and the cone.
Positives: Tremendous production from day one … Pick-off artist. Makes big plays … Nice speed. Can be used as a returner.
Negatives: Not a form tackler. Not going to make big hits … Good speed, but not elite wheels … Will struggle in the NFL in man coverage. (per Scout.com)
5c. (comp.?) Ray Feinga - OG, 6-5 337, BYU
Post-Combine Skinny: While he wasn't all that quick or fluid, he proved he really is big, and he did a good job on the bench with 30 lifts.
Positives: Dominant run blocker … Improved in pass protection … Strong with a great, big body.
Negatives: Never lived up to the prep hype … Good, but not special. (per Scout.com)
6a. (from Dolphins) Stephen McGee - QB, 6-3 235, Txas A&M
Post-Combine Skinny: Created a stir with his speed. His 4.66 40 was second only to Pat White. Ran well, and was fine throwing.
Positives: Great runner … Quick learner. Can pick up any system right away.
Negatives: Lost his job as a senior partly due to a shoulder injury … Not an elite arm. (per Scout.com)
6b. (comp.?) Sammie Lee Hill - DE, 6-4 330, Stillman
Post-Combine Skinny: It's all about his size. He ran a not that bad 5.15, but the 27 reps on the bench wasn't all that impressive. He's got the bulk, and now he has to show he can use it in a positive way.
Positives: HUGE … Very big and shockingly mobile for his size … Really strong. Looks like he should’ve been playing for a big-time school.
Negatives: Obvious competition question marks … Will need a lot of technique work. A LOT … Needs to get moving more. Might need a fire lit under him. (per Scout.com)
7a. (from Lions) Jason Watkins - OT, 6-6 310, Florida
Post-Combine Skinny: Wasn't At The Combine
Positives: Great body and size … Long. Long arms, good hands … Excellent upside for a patient team.
Negatives: Very raw. VERY raw … Not physical enough … Doesn’t have the instincts and struggled last year with his consistency. (per Scout.com)
7b. Jerraud Powers - CB, 5-10 190, Auburn
Post-Combine Skinny: He had a nice day. Criticized for coming out early when he could've upped his stock with a good senior year, he came up with a nice 4.47 in the 40 and was one of the quickest players in the Combine in the shuttle.
Positives: Looks the part even with his size. Strong … Willing tackler who’s great at coming up with the big stop … Good athlete who showed big-time upside early in his career.
Negatives: Needs work to be a player and not just a great athlete … Didn’t show quite what he could do last year because he was hurt … Big on potential, but some team will have to be patient. (per Scout.com)
UDFA targets:
1. Quan Cosby - WR, 5-10 205, Texas
2. Maurice Crum, Jr. - ILB, 5-11 235, Notre Dame
3. Travis Bright - OG, 6-4 330, BYU
4. Antonio Dixon - DE, 6-3 330, Miami, FL
5. D.J. Clark - CB, 6-2 200, Idaho St.
