Post-combine Rising Stars

[Nors]

POST-COMBINE RISING STARS
by Kevin Hornung
March 3, 2008


Now that the NFL Combine has passed, the upcoming NFL Draft is really beginning to shape up. Talking about the Draft before the Combine is like watching regular season NBA basketball, you get an idea of who’s who, but there’s no sense talking about it until after the regular season. The Combine came and went with the two stars being Virginia DE Chris Long and Arkansas RB Darren McFadden, who solidified their status as top 5 talents. Here, however, is a few that are flying a bit under the radar, who will help their soon-to-be new teams in one capacity or another. Note: Height, weight and 40 time are in parentheses.

Earl Bennett- WR (Vanderbilt, 6’1” 209 4.48) - Quick name the all-time SEC leader in receptions. With all of the great players that have come out of the SEC over the years it may come as some surprise that it is Bennett. With 236 career receptions over 3 years, Bennett has shown that he can play against the best at a high level. He is being downgraded a bit because he’s being thrown in the possession receiver category, but his 40 yard dash time and shuttle time suggest just the opposite. Never mind that he has shown breakaway speed and strength for 3 years in the SEC, he posted one of the best 40 times at the Combine this season. Also factor in that he was repeatedly double teamed over the last 2 years, simply because there was no one else on Vandy to garner that type of attention, and his numbers are that much more impressive. He has shown that he can get separation at the line of scrimmage, has great hands, and the ability to break a long one at any time, or point on the field. Really should be a first round pick, but with that possession receiver stigma he will fall to the second round, and be a steal to the team who drafts him. On my board he’s the third best receiver in this draft behind Michigan’s Manningham and Oklahoma’s Malcolm Kelly.

Matt Forte- RB (Tulane, 6’2” 222 4.46) - In my opinion maybe the most intriguing prospect in this draft. Forte, who was solid in ’06, burst onto the scene in 2007 with 5 200 yard games, and 2 300 yard games, to finish with an astonishing 2,127 yards on 361 carries (5.9 ypc). Forte combines great size and surprising speed in one underrated package. Played against some sub par competition, but at the same time was a man among boys in those games, with a not so good supporting cast around him. The Green Wave needed to keep handing the ball off to Forte because they had no one else, and Forte never broke down and stayed healthy all year. Had 16 carries for 73 yards against LSU in his most marquee match up in ’07. Shows good quickness and strength at contact, and always falls forward on the way down. Has a knack for the end zone with 39 career touchdowns, 23 in 2007. Can also catch the ball out of the backfield as shown with his 32 receptions in 2007 and 103 career catches. Forte is an every down back who I look for to have a very good rookie season. Would be a good fit in Carolina, who needs to find a compliment to DeAngelo Williams, and in Seattle, who needs to find a replacement for the aged Shaun Alexander. Look for him in the second to third round.

Martin Rucker- TE (Missouri, 6’5” 248 4.63) - This one I really can’t figure out. Rucker is one half of the best tight end duo in the country the last couple years, combining with Chase Coffman, to lead the Tigers. He has excellent hands and strength, and is an adequate blocker. He has shown that he can run over a defensive back and run by a linebacker. Usually takes at least 2 or 3 defenders to take him down. In 2007 Rucker had 84 receptions for 834 yards and 8 touchdowns in Mizzou’s high octane offense. He registered 10 receptions for 86 yards against BCS participant Illinois, and had 12 catches in 2 games against another BCS foe in Oklahoma. In 50 career games Rucker has 203 career receptions for 2,175 yards and 18 touchdowns. Not only does he have the intangibles but he also has the production and experience to go along with it. Is a better pro prospect that 2007 1st round pick Greg Olson, and is the second best tight end in this draft behind USC’s Fred Davis. Is head and shoulders ahead of Notre Dame’s John Carlson, who is commonly shown as the first or second tight end prospect in this draft. Would be a good fit for the Cincinnati Bengals or Philadelphia Eagles in the second or third round.

Paul Smith- QB (Tulsa, 6’2” 193 4.82) - Smith was a 3 year starter for the Golden Hurricane who improved every year at the school. Size is the question mark for Smith. Although his height at 6’2” my pose some difficulties, it’s his weight, under 200 lbs, that will really scare some teams off. However, he is very experienced, has a very strong arm and I believe will have a long career in the NFL. Under Coach Todd Graham’s spread offense, Smith had an amazing 2007 season in which he completed 327 passes on 544 attempts (60%) for 5,065 yards and 47 touchdowns with 19 interceptions. Now before you jump on that interception total keep this in mind, Smith had only 16 interceptions in the previous 2 seasons. The reason for the increase in 2007 was the offense he was playing in. Graham has a Mike Martz like system where it’s ok for the quarterback to throw interceptions as long as they are being aggressive. In fact, a good percentage of his picks were essentially punts, long throws on late downs. Against Oklahoma, Smith was 22-32 for 350 yards, 2 touchdowns and 2 picks. Threw for over 10,000 yards in 47 career games. Makes very good decisions with the football. He will benefit from a year or two on the sideline to beef up and learn the pro game. Is also one heck of a pooch punter. Probably a day 2 pick because of his size, but will be a starter in this league one day down the road.

 

[rw54]

Hey I just opened your thread and saw you mentioned Earl Bennett. I like him he is a player. I started a new thread about him and LB Jonathon Goff- probably should have put it in here.

 

[ThatsmyQB]

Overview​

Here's one scouting report in him!


Earl Bennett is one of the best receivers in the nation, yet he's flying under the radar because he plays at Vanderbilt. He's been consistently productive in his three years at Vandy regardless of who his QB has been.​

Strengths​

Tremendously productive for a team that has been largely uncompetitive. He's got good size and speed, but what sets him apart is his ability to get open through exceptional route-running and outstanding physical strength. He's able to beat nearly anyone man to man with his precise routes and he consistently beats zone defenses by finding the holes. Bennett has outstanding hands and will win nearly every battle for the ball with his strength and ability to position himself between the ball and the receiver. Bennett is everything a coach could want... he's smart on and off the field, he's a leader on and off the field, he's a hard-worker on the field, in the weight room, on the practice field, and in the classroom. He's a true leader and character guy.​

Weaknesses​

Bennett is a good athlete and a workout warrior, but he's not a real blazer. He's going to break tackles for YAC, but he's not going to outrun many of the faster defenders and can get run down from behind. Despite his production, he's had trouble finding the endzone consistently. He doesn't have the height or vertical to be a real threat in the redzone.​

Projection​

Bennett is going to make some team very happy he declared. He's a likely 2nd round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft once he shows off his wares at the Combine. Bennett should become a productive NFL receiver fairly quickly.​

 

[ThatsmyQB]

He is being downgraded a bit because he’s being thrown in the possession receiver category, but his 40 yard dash time and shuttle time suggest just the opposite. Never mind that he has shown breakaway speed and strength for 3 years in the SEC, he posted one of the best 40 times at the Combine this season

Well actually his avg per catch was
11.1
14.1
11.1

his last 3 years, which tells me he's really not a deep threat AT ALL and actually a possession receiver no matter what his 40 time says, almost like how Manningham is a deep threat regardless of his 40 time!

 

[Commodore1]

11-14 yards per catch is a deep threat at Vanderbilt. He was double covered on EVERY play. That average includes hundreds of WR screens desgined to get the ball in his hands and get out of the way.