| Pittsburgh Sports Report April 2009 |
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| Pure Steel Stafford has all the physical tools, but scouts wonder if he will learn to read NFL defenses sooner, rather than later. ... The team that drafts him might be impatient, however, considering the rookie success enjoyed by Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco. ... Good sign: Stafford's completion percentage steadily and dramatically climbed from 52.7 in 2006 to 55.7 to 61.4 last season.
2. Brian Orakpo Played big in big game against Oklahoma, but struggled against powerful blockers in the Oklahoma State game. ... Good coaching could turn Orakpo into a star because he has great physical gifts, ran a 4.7 and benched 225 pounds 31 times at the Combine. ... Note to teams thinking of drafting him: Keep an eye on his bad knee.
3. Eugene Monroe Monroe has the look as a long-tenured anchor on someone's offensive line. ... He has been a starter for the past three seasons at a program that produces strong linemen, and he may be more agile and a better blocker than many of the first-round tackles of the past few years. ... Plus, he is probably hungry: He has 15 brothers and sisters.
4. Jason Smith Smith stands out because of unique athleticism, rooted in his upbringing as a tight end during his first two seasons at Baylor. ... He mirrors Monroe, and it will be a close call for a team seeking a tackle when both are on the board. ... He will be the first Baylor Bear drafted in the first round since defensive tackle Daryl Gardener by the Dolphins in 1996.
5. Aaron Curry Scouts consider Curry a sure thing -- he will be in someone's starting lineup, either on the outside or inside, at some point in the 2009 season. ... Meanwhile, he has a lot to learn about rushing the passer, with only 9 1/2 sacks in four college seasons. ... If nothing else, his 40 time (4.56) for a man his size will get him drafted inside of the first 10 picks.
6. Jeremy Maclin Concerns about Maclin's blocking are outweighed by his potential value in the return game, on top of his ability as a pass catcher. ... He caught 182 balls for 2,315 yards and 22 touchdowns in two college seasons, but he may not become special until he learns to make tough catches in traffic while a heat-seeking strong safety viciously flies his way.
7. Michael Crabtree The foot injury that scouts and coaches can't stop talking about is all that separates Crabtree from the top five of the draft. But he is so good and productive, he may get there, anyway. ... If you liked Maclin's numbers, you'll love Crabtree's: 231, 3,127 and 41. ... He is big and physical, but David Boston was, too, before quickly running out of juice in the NFL.
8. Knowshon Moreno What you have to like about Moreno -- even before you learn that he will train enthusiastically and play passionately -- is that he averaged 5.6 yards per carry while competing against Georgia's killer SEC schedule. ... He could be a rookie starter because he will block willingly and can catch, increasing his value in the open field.
9. B.J. Raji Weight and academic issues kept him from becoming elite. ... But he returned last season after missing 2007 with classroom difficulties and recorded eight sacks. ... He may not be as productive numerically facing better competition in the NFL, but he will eat up space and occupy blockers so his linebackers will want to buy him dinner -- no small gift for such a big man.
10. Brandon Pettigrew There has been so much hype for Pettigrew in the days leading up to the draft that it is a bit surprising that he is more accomplished as a blocker than as a pass catcher. ... Still, someone needs to smack those Oklahoma State coaches who presided over an offense in which Pettigrew, who started 45 career games, never made more than 42 catches in a season.
11. Tyson Jackson Be careful not to compare Jackson too closely to the Cowboys' Marcus Spears, who is bigger and more athletic. But he may be able to distract blockers such as Spears does and stuff the run at the point of attack. ... Another guy who has been a regular for a long time at a high level (40 starts in three seasons).
12. Beanie Wells Comparisons to Jim Brown and Eddie George put a lot of pressure on a back who has ankle problems and needs to watch his weight. But Wells has been a productive plow-horse, like Brown, and he is the best runner to come out of Columbus since George. ... Wells has the size and inside power to give any team's running game an immediate boost.
13. Percy Harvin Character issues have followed Harvin since his high school days in Virginia Beach, Va., where he was suspended for -- among other problems -- making contact with an official. ... But he has been highly decorated at every level for his playing ability, and if he can get that chip off his shoulders and start listening to his coaches, Harvin could become special.
14. Rey Maualuga The word on this three-year starter at one of the finest programs in the land is that he takes gambles that cost his team yardage. That may be true, but as he learns his craft and the tendencies of NFL blockers and ball carriers, Maualuga will turn into one of the game's finest linebackers.
15. Brian Cushing Cushing plays with such ferocious intensity and violence that he is regularly beset by injuries. ... His best attributes include playing for a great program, strength, power and field awareness. ... He is not a sack artist, but his nose for the ball is revealed in his tackles for a loss (27 in four seasons). ... A three-year starter outside, but he struggled when moved inside.
16. Malcolm Jenkins Jenkins is considered the top cornerback in the draft, but he also has ideal size to play safety. ... Interesting note: He has returned four of his 11 career interceptions for touchdowns. ... He also is a sure tackler, with good awareness. ... One knock: He may not be able to run as fast as some of the NFL's elite wide receivers.
17. Josh Freeman Some scouts may like USC's Mark Sanchez as the second-best quarterback, but Freeman is bigger with more upside. ... Tough to bring down in the pocket (think Ben Roethlisberger without the instincts), Freeman has a great arm, and he threw for 8,078 yards and 44 touchdowns. Still, his completion percentage fell nearly 5 percentage points last season to 58.6.
18. Donald Brown Brown isn't nearly as athletic as some of the other top running backs in the draft, but he led the nation in rushing (2,083 yards) because he knows how to cut back and find seams. ... He declared for the draft one year early. ... Blocking could be a problem, but if he gets into a starting lineup behind a strong line, he can be productive almost immediately.
19. Robert Ayers The Senior Bowl was his Broadway stage. During practices, Ayers gave fits to top offensive linemen Andre Smith of Alabama and Michael Oher of Mississippi. ... Still, scouts wonder why he was only a one-year starter. ... After earning a bigger opportunity last season, he collected 15 1/2 tackles for a loss. ... But can he be consistent in the NFL, if he was unable to do so in college?
20. Aaron Maybin NFL teams put great stock in top players that come out of Joe State, so Maybin has a good chance to be picked in the first round. ... Coming out of college early, Maybin has a slighter build, compared to others at his position, and could have used another year of seasoning in college. ... But the athleticism that allowed him 16 sacks in two seasons can't be ignored.
21. Andre Smith In high school and college, he was a man among boys -- becoming the first offensive lineman named Alabama's Mr. Football and winning consensus All-American and Outland Trophy honors with the Crimson Tide. ... He is immature and can be distracted away from football too easily. ... Some scouts see him at guard because his size is more impressive than his athleticism.
22. Everette Brown Brown is a great athlete with good character, but his stats (23 sacks in 25 starts in three seasons) may be inflated because he was often put in position where he didn't have to beat a blocker. ... He may not fulfill his complete potential until he has experienced and learned from the speed and complexity of the game for a season or two.
23. Mark Sanchez If USC coach Pete Carroll, who has no reason to belittle a loyal Trojan, said Sanchez is a bit raw right now and should have stayed in school one more year, it must be true. At that point, Carroll wasn't trying to change Sanchez's mind. ... Sanchez is a one-year starter who was flustered in a loss to Oregon State, but ended up throwing for 3,207 yards and 34 touchdowns on the season.
24. LeSean McCoy There are many people who believe that McCoy could have benefited greatly from another season at Pitt. ... But his elusiveness, ability to find open seams in the defense and a nose for the end zone (35 touchdowns in two seasons) will attract a lot of attention near the bottom of the first round.
25. Darrius Heyward-Bey When Heyward-Bey learns to catch the ball consistently, he could turn into a premier NFL receiver. For now, his speed (4.3 in the 40) and return ability will open a lot of eyes in the first round. ... A bit troubling is the fact that his production fell off in a run-first Maryland offense last season, and he caught only 41 balls for 609 yards and five touchdowns.
26. Alphonso Smith With a school-record 21 interceptions (15 the past two seasons) and a 4.5 40 time, Smith has proven he can track down passes and stay with receivers. ... His size chases him out of the first half of the first round, but some team will get a bargain when he finally is selected.
27. James Laurinaitis Laurinaitis is the classic case of a player who performs better than the numbers say he should. He is not the fastest or the strongest linebacker, but his passion for the game, willingness to learn, instincts and intelligence make him a good value near the end of the first round or early in the second. ... His tackle totals increased each year, topping out at 130 last season.
28. Max Unger Recruited as a guard, the Hawaiian-born Unger started four seasons for the Ducks, two as a tackle and two as a center. ... He was named to the All-Pacific 10 team by conference coaches at the latter two positions. ... He started every Oregon game (all 51 one of them in four seasons). The NFL loves reliability.
29. Clay Matthews A walk-on when he arrived at USC, Matthews didn't work his way into the starting lineup until 2008. ... His workout numbers and production in games are nothing special, but he will get drafted ahead of many superior athletes because of his work ethic and professionalism, no doubt learned from his father, 19-year NFL linebacker Clay Matthews.
30. Michael Oher Lots of size and potential, but many questions follow Oher into the draft. ... He has quick feet and long, strong arms that will serve him well in the NFL. ... But some scouts wonder if he has the requisite desire and passion for the game after a young life already marred by adversity in the streets of Memphis. |
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