Pittsburgh Sports Report - Position Evaluations By Jerry DiPaola

Pittsburgh Sports Report
April 2004

Position Evaluations
By Jerry DiPaola

The 2004 NFL draft class contains a diverse group of players, from a physical, emotional and cultural point of view.

For the first time in the history of the league, high school players and college sophomores have petitioned for consideration. Thanks to former Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett, six kids who haven't even attended their last prom are eligible for selection.

Of the nine players who applied for early entry, two are legitimate prospects, Clarett and Southern California receiver Mike Williams. Clarett is expected to be drafted in rounds two or three, while Williams could be a top 10 selection.

But look at the others:

еаааааа Pasadena City College defensive back Ronnie McCrae (0 interceptions for an 0-10 team)

еаааааа OT Ken Petitt of Detroit's Redford High School (All-Detroit News honorable mention - in 2002)

еаааааа Running back Ethan Mitchell of Flowers High School in Maryland (never played varsity football)

еаааааа Running back Joe Banks played at Baltimore's New Directions Academy High School, a school for developmentally disabled students.

еаааааа Two others didn't play last year and another attended a school that doesn't have a football team.

It appears that the hand-wringing about the Clarett case tearing down NCAA football was all so much wasted energy.

Steelers' director of football operations Kevin Colbert probably didn't miss any time at home with the wife and kids while scouting Mitchell, for instance.

Overall, it's a good year for college talent, with several elite prospects. They include Ole Miss quarterback Eli Manning, Miami (Ohio) quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, Pitt wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, Texas wide receiver Roy Williams, Iowa offensive tackle Robert Gallery, Miami tight end Kellen Winslow and safety Sean Taylor (the best player, if you asked me).

Quarterback

The Steelers haven't drafted a quarterback in the first round since Mark Malone in 1980. But this year's crop is deep enough that if the third best falls to 11, the Steelers might grab him.

NC State's Phillip Rivers has captured the attention of the Steelers. Tommy Maddox will be 34 and on the downside of his career in two years (if he isn't already). Rivers throws a little like Kent Tekulve - side-arm - but completed 72.1 percent of his passes last season, with 44 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Eli Manning and Ben Roethlisberger won't drop that far. Like his brother Peyton, Manning will be the first player selected. Roethlisberger might go No. 2 to the Oakland Raiders.

J.P. Losman of Tulane, Matt Schaub of Virginia and Josh Harris of Bowling Green are other possible first-day picks.

Running Back

The Steelers need a young running back, but there are not many who have an exceptional upside. Pass on Steven Jackson of Oregon State and Kevin Jones of Virginia Tech in the first round, and Florida State's Greg Jones or Michigan's Chris Perry in the second, and you're rolling the dice.

West Virginia's Quincy Wilson and Pitt's Brandon Miree may be good second-day selections.

Offensive Line

You can always find big guys in college, but how many are worthy this year of premium picks? Not many.

Iowa tackle Robert Gallery may go fourth to the New York Giants, but the second-best natural tackle is Arkansas' Shawn Andrews, and he weighed 401 pounds in January.

Nonetheless, the smart shopper can find good offensive linemen. Trading down in round one might give the Steelers a shot at USC's Jacob Rogers, a great value late in the first.

Miami guard Vernon Carey looks like a late first rounder, and he could be moved to tackle. At 6-4, 355 pounds, he may be the second-best overall offensive line prospect.

After Virginia Tech's Jake Grove, the centers are weak.

Wide Receiver

It might be a mistake for Pittsburgh not to take a receiver at some point. Plaxico Burress' contract expires after this season, and the Steelers may not re-sign him.

NFL scouts are amazed at how many prospects are available in this year's draft. Everyone knows about Fitzgerald and the three non-related Williams (Mike, Roy and Reggie), but there is quality depth in Lee Evans of Wisconsin, Rashaun Woods of Oklahoma State and Michael Jenkins of Ohio State.

Andrae Thurman of NAIA Southern Oregon could be a steal on the second-day.

Tight End

Winslow does everything in a big way - block, catch and talk. The latter will turn off some teams, but he still will be picked in the first half of the first round. Ben Troupe of Florida and Ben Watson of Georgia also could get drafted in the first round.

It's such a deep class that Kris Wilson of Pitt, who showed good hands and an ability to get open, is barely among the top 10 tight ends.

Defensive Line

Tackles Vince Wilfork of Miami, Tommie Harris of Oklahoma and Darnell Dockett of Florida State, and ends Kenechi Udeze of USC and Will Smith of Ohio State are among the top 25 prospects and probably will help their new teams in their rookie years.

Linebacker

Jonathan Vilma and D.J. Williams of Miami lead a good crop of linebackers, but Vilma's size (6-1, 220) will turn off some people who may forget that he recorded 127 tackles last season. At worst, Vilma might have to move outside, but his size was no problem at Miami where he replaced Dan Morgan. Williams was an All-American who lit up Heinz Field in an outstanding performance against Pitt.

Other top players include Auburn outside linebacker Karlos Dansby and Georgia Tech inside linebacker Daryl Smith.

Secondary

Miami safety Sean Taylor didn't run as fast as some NFL scouts like when he worked out. But he is a better prospect and a bigger hitter than Troy Polamalu and the Steelers couldn't wait to give away their 2003 draft to take Polamalu.

The list of cornerbacks isn't bad, but they all need polishing and some may be only bit players in their rookie seasons. They include Will Poole of USC, Chris Gamble of Ohio State, DeAngelo Hall of Virginia Tech, Dunta Robinson of South Carolina and Derrick Strait of Oklahoma.

Keep an eye on Ricardo Colclough of Division II Tusculum (Tenn.) College, the defensive MVP for the North team in the Senior Bowl.