Tobal
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 2,336
- Reaction score
- 328
Draft Dish: Texas RB Charles makes a charge
April 20, 2008
Print it
By Russ Lande
When Texas running back Jamaal Charles declared himself a early-entry junior for the 2008 NFL draft, there were many whispers that he had made a huge mistake and would be lucky to be picked by the fifth round. Now, however, with the draft less than a week away, it turns out Charles has made a good decision.
As scouts and coaches have broken down film of Charles, it has become clear that he is a naturally instinctive back with both the quick feet and terrific agility to make fast jump cuts and get through backside holes. Additionally, Charles has proved that he is a very elusive back who can make would-be tacklers miss him in close quarters. He also has shown a knack for making a big play when it looks like he has no hole and it seems like there is nowhere to run.
Although there still are some concerns about Charles' ball security and durability, he has put himself in position to be a possible first-round pick and at worst, a second-rounder.
Mountaineers wideout climbs
After Appalachian State wide receiver Dexter Jackson stamped his outstanding spring by running the 40-yard dash in the 4.3s at the Combine, there was much buzz that he was one of the highest-rising prospects in the draft. With that buzz, however, came overrating him a potential second-round pick.
The truth is, Jackson isn't that highly considered because despite shining at the Combine and postseason all-star games, teams are concerned with why he was not nearly as consistent or as productive in college. He wasn't always Appalachian State's go-to receiver and dropped many more passes than a receiver with his physical talent should.
Jackson started the draft process viewed as a likely priority undrafted free agent, so a more realistic jump for his stock would be in the late third round or early fourth round.
Cottam in an injury trap
Tennessee tight end Brad Cottam is one of the draft's biggest mysteries as correctly predicting when he will be picked is impossible because NFL teams' opinions of him vary so greatly. Cottam is a great-looking physical specimen who has shown he can be an elite tight end when healthy. At the Senior Bowl, he showed the hands, athleticism and natural talent that it takes to be a big-time NFL receiving tight end.
The problem is that Cottam has been injured throughout his college career and has barely been able to produce on the field because of it. While some NFL teams view him as the top tight end prospect in a weak tight end class and expect him to be a second-round pick, others view him as a late second-day prospect who will probably never become the player he has the skills to be because of his injury history.
Although there is much to like about Cotttam and his receiving skills are special, it's a risk to draft him before the third round because of his major durability issues that are likely to carry over into the NFL.
Balking on Balmer?
Just like the case with Cottam, you will be hard pressed to find NFL two teams who can agree on the draft value of North Carolina defensive tackle Kentwan Balmer. Everyone sees him as a very gifted natural athlete, but the question is why it shows up in personal workouts and didn't show up nearly as much on the field.
Balmer's tendency to play upright and long-legged and without enough passion and intensity has caused even those teams who love his natural talent to question if he will ever become more than a backup tackle who consistently teases his team with "what could be." Balmer now is more likely to fall out of the first day of the draft completely instead of some team taking a chance on him as a first-round pick.
Blythe's plight
There's nothing spectacular about Iowa State wide receiver Todd Blythe, but there is little doubt that he is in line to have a long NFL career. The question then becomes, and this is what NFL teams have been discussing in their draft meetings, is whether he is the next Drew Bennett, who eventually blossoms into a good starting receiver, or is Blythe this year's version of Kassim Osgood, who has purely made a name for himself as one of the NFL's best special teams players. That answer for Blythe is at least a couple seasons from being realized, so don't be surprised if some team jumps up and grabs him in either the third or fourth round in the hopes that he develops like Bennett, despite the fact that most other teams have given him a sixth-round, seventh-round or even undrafted grade.
April 20, 2008
By Russ Lande
When Texas running back Jamaal Charles declared himself a early-entry junior for the 2008 NFL draft, there were many whispers that he had made a huge mistake and would be lucky to be picked by the fifth round. Now, however, with the draft less than a week away, it turns out Charles has made a good decision.
As scouts and coaches have broken down film of Charles, it has become clear that he is a naturally instinctive back with both the quick feet and terrific agility to make fast jump cuts and get through backside holes. Additionally, Charles has proved that he is a very elusive back who can make would-be tacklers miss him in close quarters. He also has shown a knack for making a big play when it looks like he has no hole and it seems like there is nowhere to run.
Although there still are some concerns about Charles' ball security and durability, he has put himself in position to be a possible first-round pick and at worst, a second-rounder.
Mountaineers wideout climbs
After Appalachian State wide receiver Dexter Jackson stamped his outstanding spring by running the 40-yard dash in the 4.3s at the Combine, there was much buzz that he was one of the highest-rising prospects in the draft. With that buzz, however, came overrating him a potential second-round pick.
The truth is, Jackson isn't that highly considered because despite shining at the Combine and postseason all-star games, teams are concerned with why he was not nearly as consistent or as productive in college. He wasn't always Appalachian State's go-to receiver and dropped many more passes than a receiver with his physical talent should.
Jackson started the draft process viewed as a likely priority undrafted free agent, so a more realistic jump for his stock would be in the late third round or early fourth round.
Cottam in an injury trap
Tennessee tight end Brad Cottam is one of the draft's biggest mysteries as correctly predicting when he will be picked is impossible because NFL teams' opinions of him vary so greatly. Cottam is a great-looking physical specimen who has shown he can be an elite tight end when healthy. At the Senior Bowl, he showed the hands, athleticism and natural talent that it takes to be a big-time NFL receiving tight end.
The problem is that Cottam has been injured throughout his college career and has barely been able to produce on the field because of it. While some NFL teams view him as the top tight end prospect in a weak tight end class and expect him to be a second-round pick, others view him as a late second-day prospect who will probably never become the player he has the skills to be because of his injury history.
Although there is much to like about Cotttam and his receiving skills are special, it's a risk to draft him before the third round because of his major durability issues that are likely to carry over into the NFL.
Balking on Balmer?
Just like the case with Cottam, you will be hard pressed to find NFL two teams who can agree on the draft value of North Carolina defensive tackle Kentwan Balmer. Everyone sees him as a very gifted natural athlete, but the question is why it shows up in personal workouts and didn't show up nearly as much on the field.
Balmer's tendency to play upright and long-legged and without enough passion and intensity has caused even those teams who love his natural talent to question if he will ever become more than a backup tackle who consistently teases his team with "what could be." Balmer now is more likely to fall out of the first day of the draft completely instead of some team taking a chance on him as a first-round pick.
Blythe's plight
There's nothing spectacular about Iowa State wide receiver Todd Blythe, but there is little doubt that he is in line to have a long NFL career. The question then becomes, and this is what NFL teams have been discussing in their draft meetings, is whether he is the next Drew Bennett, who eventually blossoms into a good starting receiver, or is Blythe this year's version of Kassim Osgood, who has purely made a name for himself as one of the NFL's best special teams players. That answer for Blythe is at least a couple seasons from being realized, so don't be surprised if some team jumps up and grabs him in either the third or fourth round in the hopes that he develops like Bennett, despite the fact that most other teams have given him a sixth-round, seventh-round or even undrafted grade.
