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By Matt Hayes - SportingNews
Mar 3, 4:46 pm EST
NFL types like to talk about 40s and vertical leaps and hip fluidity when analyzing the annual draft. I like to talk about guys who bring it when the silk jerseys are on and the lights are bright.
Today, we’ll look at offensive players. Later in the week, defensive players.
Quarterback
Scouts say: Matt Ryan, Boston College.
I say: Colt Brennan, Hawaii
The skinny: The scouts were turned off when Brennan weighed in a 187 pounds at the Senior Bowl, but he’s back up to 205. Forget about the weight; that will come. Understand this: he can make every throw and played three years in a system that got him ready for the league. He needs to grow into the position, but he will be a legit NFL quarterback.
Running back
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Scouts say: Darren McFadden, Arkansas
I say: Rashard Mendenhall, Illinois
The skinny: I know, I know: McFadden ran a blazing 4-nothing 40 at the Combine, and every jaw of every scout was lapping the turf in Indy. That’s all well and good, but you have to run between the tackles in the NFL. Mendenhall most certainly can, but I’m not so sure about McFadden. I said two years ago that LenDale White would be a better pro than Reggie Bush because he could be an every down back. McFadden might be in the same boat with Bush.
Fullback
Scouts say: Peyton Hillis, Arkansas
I say: Jacob Hester, LSU
The skinny: Most scouts like Hillis for his speed or Owen Schmitt of West Virginia for his body and toughness. I have this argument with a scout friend of mine about Hester. He says Hester was in the right place at the right time for LSU, and that Kieland Williams should have been getting more carries. While I think Williams will be a terrific back—watch him develop next fall—Hester is a football player. He makes others on the team play harder because his fire and desire is infectious. He did have 1,000 yards in the toughest league in the nation—I mean, in case that means anything.
Wide receiver
Scouts say: Early Doucet, LSU
I say: Earl Bennett, Vanderbilt
The skinny: A tough year to grade receivers. The group is full of health risks (Doucet, Malcolm Kelly, Andre Caldwell, Limas Sweed) or guys who regressed in their final season (Mario Manningham, DeSean Jackson). Here’s why I like Bennett: he knows how to get open and knows how to separate when the ball is in the air. Those two concepts are so undervalued at a position that has become a speed pick. As one scout told me, “If you’re fast, we can teach you how to run routes.” Tell that to Matt Jones or Troy Williamson.
Tight end
Scouts say: Martellus Bennett, Texas A&M
I say: Fred Davis, USC
The skinny: Bennett is the classic “airport” player: looks good walking through an airport, but you have no idea what he’s like on the field. The run-oriented scheme at A&M didn’t help, but he got lost in many games. Bennett is the perfect size for an NFL tight end (6-6, 260), but his blocking and desire are iffy. Meanwhile, I give you Davis: a pass-catching machine. But wait, he’s only 6-3, and he runs in the 4.7s in the 40. One more thing: how many NFL tight ends are stout blockers? I know one (Kyle Brady)—and the Patriots aren’t throwing to him on third and short.
Offensive line
Scouts say: Ryan Clady, Boise State
I say: Duane Brown, Virginia Tech
The skinny: Forget about quarterback, there are more busts on the offensive line than anywhere in the draft. Clady looks the part, but I’ve got reservations about his tenacity. Brown, on the other hand, is one mean dude. And that’s what I want on my offensive line: a mean dude with an attitude. Yeah, he’s not as technically sound as Clady—or others, for that matter. But he’s a tough, strong guy with good feet and a large wingspan. He doesn’t run a sub-5.0 40 like Clady, but it’s about burst, power and desire on the offensive line. And Brown has it all.
Matt Hayes is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at mhayes@sportingnews.com.
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Mar 3, 4:46 pm EST
NFL types like to talk about 40s and vertical leaps and hip fluidity when analyzing the annual draft. I like to talk about guys who bring it when the silk jerseys are on and the lights are bright.
Today, we’ll look at offensive players. Later in the week, defensive players.
Quarterback
Scouts say: Matt Ryan, Boston College.
I say: Colt Brennan, Hawaii
The skinny: The scouts were turned off when Brennan weighed in a 187 pounds at the Senior Bowl, but he’s back up to 205. Forget about the weight; that will come. Understand this: he can make every throw and played three years in a system that got him ready for the league. He needs to grow into the position, but he will be a legit NFL quarterback.
Running back
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Scouts say: Darren McFadden, Arkansas
I say: Rashard Mendenhall, Illinois
The skinny: I know, I know: McFadden ran a blazing 4-nothing 40 at the Combine, and every jaw of every scout was lapping the turf in Indy. That’s all well and good, but you have to run between the tackles in the NFL. Mendenhall most certainly can, but I’m not so sure about McFadden. I said two years ago that LenDale White would be a better pro than Reggie Bush because he could be an every down back. McFadden might be in the same boat with Bush.
Fullback
Scouts say: Peyton Hillis, Arkansas
I say: Jacob Hester, LSU
The skinny: Most scouts like Hillis for his speed or Owen Schmitt of West Virginia for his body and toughness. I have this argument with a scout friend of mine about Hester. He says Hester was in the right place at the right time for LSU, and that Kieland Williams should have been getting more carries. While I think Williams will be a terrific back—watch him develop next fall—Hester is a football player. He makes others on the team play harder because his fire and desire is infectious. He did have 1,000 yards in the toughest league in the nation—I mean, in case that means anything.
Wide receiver
Scouts say: Early Doucet, LSU
I say: Earl Bennett, Vanderbilt
The skinny: A tough year to grade receivers. The group is full of health risks (Doucet, Malcolm Kelly, Andre Caldwell, Limas Sweed) or guys who regressed in their final season (Mario Manningham, DeSean Jackson). Here’s why I like Bennett: he knows how to get open and knows how to separate when the ball is in the air. Those two concepts are so undervalued at a position that has become a speed pick. As one scout told me, “If you’re fast, we can teach you how to run routes.” Tell that to Matt Jones or Troy Williamson.
Tight end
Scouts say: Martellus Bennett, Texas A&M
I say: Fred Davis, USC
The skinny: Bennett is the classic “airport” player: looks good walking through an airport, but you have no idea what he’s like on the field. The run-oriented scheme at A&M didn’t help, but he got lost in many games. Bennett is the perfect size for an NFL tight end (6-6, 260), but his blocking and desire are iffy. Meanwhile, I give you Davis: a pass-catching machine. But wait, he’s only 6-3, and he runs in the 4.7s in the 40. One more thing: how many NFL tight ends are stout blockers? I know one (Kyle Brady)—and the Patriots aren’t throwing to him on third and short.
Offensive line
Scouts say: Ryan Clady, Boise State
I say: Duane Brown, Virginia Tech
The skinny: Forget about quarterback, there are more busts on the offensive line than anywhere in the draft. Clady looks the part, but I’ve got reservations about his tenacity. Brown, on the other hand, is one mean dude. And that’s what I want on my offensive line: a mean dude with an attitude. Yeah, he’s not as technically sound as Clady—or others, for that matter. But he’s a tough, strong guy with good feet and a large wingspan. He doesn’t run a sub-5.0 40 like Clady, but it’s about burst, power and desire on the offensive line. And Brown has it all.
Matt Hayes is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at mhayes@sportingnews.com.
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