Pure Steel
Breaking Down Maybin and McCoy

Two local players are primed to get drafted in the first round of the upcoming NFL Draft: Penn State's Aaron Maybin, a converted defensive end who will play linebacker on Sundays; and Pitt running back LeSean McCoy.

Hoge on McCoy

PSR's Joe Giardina spoke with former Steelers running back and current ESPN analyst Merrill Hoge about McCoy.

"I really liked him. I liked him better than Knowshon Moreno. I think he is a little quicker, a little more explosive. I like him in the passing game. Both guys are good blockers. I thought he played with great instincts. He ran inside better than I anticipated. A lot of Pitt's running game is inside runs. He's not powerful, but he's strong. One thing he does, he does get out of the hole sometimes. Sometimes these quicker, faster guys don't stay in the hole. Occasionally he'll get out of it, which you can't do in the NFL. He just won't be able to do that.

I thought he had excellent hands, I thought he was quick out of his breaks, he ran hard. I thought he was a very instinctive player, very quick. It kind of depends on how you look at him. If you look at him as a feature back, he's not a feature back in our league. He wouldn't stand up to 16 weeks of 25 touches. He needs to be used more like Chris Johnson is with Tennessee. I think if he's in that kind of mold he can be explosive and deadly when it comes to that. But I really liked him."

NFLDraftScout.com on Maybin

Positives: Tall with a frame to add a needed 10-15 pounds of muscle in his upper body. Superior quickness off the snap on wide rushes. Combines that speed and length to challenge tackles in passing situations. Very good straight-line speed to chase plays down the line or hustle downfield. Keeps cut blocks off his knees, recovers and maintains his balance well. Great length and vertical to affect passing lanes. Dropped into zone coverage often; got into his zone in a hurry when decisive. Breaks down in space and can change directions in the backfield to handle cutbacks and misdirections. Improving his hand usage as a pass rusher.

Negatives: A bit thin in the hips, and may not grow into a defensive end build. Does not always use his length to get off offensive tackle or tight end blocks. Lacks the strength to bull rush. Runs stiff and upright, looks much better straight-ahead than laterally. Doesn't turn the corner as fast as you'd like because of his inflexible lower body. Needs more pass rush moves. Always runs straight upfield, allowing tackles to direct him around the pocket. Demoted to backup status during the week of the Rose Bowl for undisclosed reasons.

"After a marginal combine, it was thought Maybin could fall into the late first round, or lower. But he ran faster (4.6 40) and looked better in positional drills at his pro day, allowing teams to rely more on what they saw on tape - a quick-closing pass rush specialist with loads of upside as a 3-4 linebacker." - Chad Reuter

Local Players in the Draft
Top Picks

o   Aaron Maybin, DE/LB, Penn State (6-4, 249) - will most likely move to OLB in 3-4
o   LeSean McCoy, RB, Pitt (5-10, 198) - pro-day could be difference between first or second round

Early Rounds

o   Derrick Williams, WR, Penn State (5-11, 194) - versatile athlete; can help in many areas

Mid-Rounds

o   Chris Baker, DT, Hampton/Penn State transfer - character concerns follow him into NFL
o   Gerald Cadogan, OT, Penn State (6-5, 314) - high character kid, most likely a RT
o   Rashad Jennings, RB, Liberty/Pitt transfer (6-1, 230) - banger, but lacks quickness
o   Scott McKillop, LB, Pitt (6-1, 244) - top-notch intangibles make up for lack of physical tools
o   A.Q. Shipley, C, Penn State (6-1, 297) - pure center, perfect for zone blocking team
o   Pat White, QB/WR, WVU (6-0, 197) - most view him as WR; long-term project at QB

Late-Rounds/FA

o   Deon Butler, WR, Penn State (5-10, 168) - talented, tough and fast - but undersized
o   Selvish Capers, OT, WVU (6-6, 291) - good fit in zone blocking scheme
o   Conredge Collins, FB, Pitt (6-0, 230) - runs well and can catch, but FBs seldom drafted
o   C.J. Davis, OG/C, Pitt (6-3, 310) - versatility should get him a long look
o   Greg Isdaner, OG, WVU (6-4, 322) - successful because of his physical play in college
o   Mortty Ivy, LB, WVU (6-2, 236) - can rush the passer and drop in coverage
o   Ellis Lankster, CB, WVU - inexperienced but has good upside
o   Rich Ohrnberger, OG, Penn State (6-2, 291) - skilled but undersized
o   Lydell Sargeant, CB, Penn State (5-9, 186) - talented enough to stick on a roster
o   Ryan Stanchek, OG, WVU (6-4, 303) - college tackle who must move inside to be a pro

Free Agent

o   Tony Davis, S, Penn State (5-10, 197) - long shot but could get an invite