NFLDC: Prospect Hot List

[theogt]

By Scott Wright
November 9, 2007

As anyone who follows the NFL Draft knows positive or negative momentum can play a big role in determining where a player is ultimately drafted. The following is a look at players who have that buzz at the moment as well as some who do not. Please keep in mind that this is just a weekly snapshot of football's hottest prospects and is not a replacement or an update to the positional rankings or mock draft. For example, a player could be #1 on this list but that might only mean he has gone from a 7th round pick to a 5th rounder. Here are the guys with helium:

1. Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College Others might have made bigger leaps up the draft board but nobody has entered the rarified air that Matt Ryan has which is why he takes the top spot. Heading into his senior season Ryan was a fringe first rounder who certainly had a lot of fans in the scouting community but he was also coming off an injury-riddled junior campaign and many were waiting to see if he was finally healthy and how he would perform. Well, we got our answer. Ryan has been outstanding in 2007 and as a result he has not only passed up both Brian Brohm and André Woodson on most teams draft boards but he's also legitimately in the mix to be a Top 5 overall pick.

2. Chris Long, DE, Virginia Coming into the '07 season everyone knew about how Chris Long was Howie's son, that he was a hard worker with a non-stop motor, etc. but the one lingering question was whether or not he could he make those impact plays as a pass rusher. Well, through 10 games he has amassed 16.0 tackles for a loss and 12.0 sacks so I guess that takes care of that! Even though he may never be a Dwight Freeney-type in the NFL Long's a better prospect than Adam Carriker was a year ago and coaches are going to love him. Long is now without question the top senior defensive end available and it's beginning to look more and more like he'll be a Top 10 pick.

3. Dennis Dixon, QB, Oregon No prospect has seen his draft stock rise as much as Dixon this season, who has gone from a late rounder or undrafted free agent to a potential Day One selection in the matter of about a month. The talk of him being a poor-man's Vince Young is a bit of an exaggeration but he certainly has become the type of dynamic dual-threat that will remind you of Young during his days with the Longhorns. Dixon is still more of an athlete than a passer but he has made major strides this year and showed everyone that he is a legitimate NFL prospect.

4. Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt Everyone knows about Jake Long, Sam Baker and even Gosder Cherilus but Vandy's Chris Williams has ever so quietly been making a move toward that #4 offensive tackle spot in the rankings. Williams has good size and is very athletic so physically he has just about everything you look for and he has really taken his game to that next level as a senior. It appears as though Williams has now solidified himself as at least a 2nd or 3rd round pick and depending on which underclassmen come out some feel he could even land in round one.

5. Lavelle Hawkins, WR, California DeSean Jackson gets the most of the attention and rightfully so but Lavelle Hawkins is quickly emerging as a top pro prospect in his own right. A highly-touted recruit coming out of high school, Hawkins originally signed with LSU but poor academics necessitated a short detour before ultimately ending up at Cal. Even though he certainly isn't special in either the size or timed speed departments Hawkins is exceptionally athletic and in a weak class of senior wide receivers many seem to think he may even break into the top two or three rounds. http://media.fastclick.net/w/click.here?cid=97046&mid=187701&sid=10932&m=6&c=0

6. Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida The South Florida Bull program has emerged as a national contender this year and that is no fluke because there is a lot of talent on that team. Mike Jenkins is without question their top pro prospect for the 2008 NFL Draft and is really soaring up draft boards right now. Jenkins definitely has the size (6-0) and bulk (200 lbs.) that you look for and if he can manage to run better than the projected 4.5's then the first round is not out of the question. This is a real weak crop of senior cornerbacks but Jenkins is now among the best available.

7. Fred Davis, TE, USC When he signed with the Trojans Davis was viewed as an elite wideout recruit but he converted to tight end as a freshman and hasn't looked back. For the first few years of his collegiate career Davis did an okay job but didn't really stand out, although when you factor in the talent that he was competing with for touches (Reggie Bush, LenDale White, Dwayne Jarrett, Steve Smith, Dominique Byrd, etc.) it is tough to blame him. However, as a senior he's emerged as the Trojans top pass catching threat and is one of the top tight ends available.

8. Jerome Simpson, WR, Coastal Carolina When quarterback Tyler Thigpen was chosen in the 7th round last year he became the first Coastal Carolina Chanticleer to ever be drafted but it looks like Jerome Simpson will be #2 come April. Even though he lacks elite timed speed Simpson has freakishly huge hands, fantastic leaping ability and great ball skills and body control that make up for other deficiencies. Simpson is destined to be one of the top small-school sleepers available and he may follow in the footsteps of guys like Jerome Mathis, Marques Colston and Jacoby Jones.

9. Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC On a defense that is absolutely loaded with future pro talent Sedrick Ellis has emerged as the cream of the crop this year and as a result his draft stock is on the rise. A classic 3-technique who would be a perfect fit in the popular Tampa 2 defensive scheme, Ellis is a better prospect than Mike Patterson and Shaun Cody were coming out and he could find himself off the board in the top half of round one. Glenn Dorsey is clearly the top defensive tackle available but there isn't any more debate as to who is in the #2 spot. It's Sedrick Ellis.

10. Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh Outside of Gosder Cherilus there might not be a better right tackle prospect available and Otah has the size (6-6, 340) and upside to continue his ascent up draft boards in the coming months. A JUCO transfer who just started playing football as a senior in high school, Otah is just beginning to tape into his immense potential and the sky may be the limit for him as he becomes more technically sounds and really begins to master the nuances of the game. Look for Otah to compete for a spot in round two or three before all is said and done.

The Not-So-Hot List
Tommy Blake, DE, T.C.U. Coming into the year Blake graded out as a first round pick and some felt he might even have a shot at the Top 10 overall but that could now be a distant memory. For the second time this season Blake had to take a leave of absence from the team for what had initially only been described as a medical leave for undisclosed reasons before Blake himself confirmed the reason as his being "overwhelmed with stress". So what happens if he again becomes overwhelmed during an NFL season? Or before a big playoff game? Or before the Super Bowl! Playing in the NFL is inevitably going to be a lot more stressful than being the big man on campus in college is so questions about his ability to handle a pro career are legitimate and very real. Needless to say a team might have a hard time investing a top pick and millions of dollars on a guy who could, for lack of a better term, flake out on them at any time. Tommy will face a lot of difficult questions in predraft interviews.