lamberts-lost-tooth
04-15-2008, 10:43 AM
Fulfilling expectations
A look at 25 of the draft's most overrated or underrated playersBY Nolan Nawrocki
April 14, 2008
PFW takes a look at 25 players who we predict will either struggle to meet or exceed draft expectations. Those deemed overrated could still turn out to be solid pros. However, they are likely to struggle living up to the value of where they are drafted.
Conversely, those deemed underrated could turn out to be bargains for where they potentially could be drafted. In cases where a player will be drafted early in the first round, such as in the case of Branden Albert and Jonathan Stewart, we see little risk and the likelihood for greatness to be reached.
Overrated players
DT Kentwan Balmer, North Carolina
Has great strength, but hand use and ability to shed blocks is marginal. Questionable mental toughness at a position that requires a lot of it.
WR Earl Bennett, Vanderbilt*
Stood out vs. lesser Southeastern Conference competition but was easily contained vs. better competition and shows little burst or gear change in his routes to transition cleanly to the pro game.
QB Brian Brohm, Louisville
Has been oversold and overhyped his entire life and while he could still be a functional pro, he could struggle to live up to a first-round billing, should a team draft him that high.
CB Antoine Cason, Arizona
Instincts and ball skills are very good, but toughness and top-end speed seldom show up on tape.
TE Fred Davis, USC
Career underachiever with the physical tools to be a great blocker, but lack of toughness and focus could prevent him from ever reaching his potential.
QB Joe Flacco, Delaware
Inability to handle pressure, slow feet and questionable mental processing speed could restrict him at the pro level regardless of how strong his arm is.
OLB Ali Highsmith, LSU
Undersized ?backers short on explosiveness struggle to make an impact in the pros.
WR DeSean Jackson, California*
Has some elite physical tools, but poor size and lack of focus could keep him from consistently producing in the pros.
DE Lawrence Jackson, USC
Solid run defender who has all the answers, lacks mental toughness and makes too many excuses.
RB Chris Johnson, East Carolina
Teams who get blinded by his speed could overlook his inability to stay healthy running between the tackles. Value will come as a space player, not as an every-down back, which he will likely be overdrafted to be.
WR Malcolm Kelly, Oklahoma*
Cut from the same cloth as USC's Mike Williams and Dwayne Jarrett, Kelly's questionable work ethic, intelligence, mental toughness and foot speed spell B-U-S-T.
RB Kevin Smith, Central Florida*
Will be challenged in the NFL when he is asked to run between the tackles. Lack of run strength could be restricting.
CB Aqib Talib, Kansas*
Lack of functional playing speed and tendency to gamble and give up big plays could leave him with DeAngelo Hall-esque reputation as an overhyped corner who gets beat as much as he makes big plays.
Underrated players
OL Branden Albert, Virginia*
Too big, strong, smart, versatile and athletic not to excel in either guard or tackle capacities.
OG Mackenzy Bernadeau, Bentley
Has the quickness and athleticism to contribute readily at guard, if not tackle. Knee injury suffered as senior forced many teams to overlook him.
CB Tyvon Branch, Connecticut
Big, strong, physical and heavily involved on special teams, all that Branch lacked as a senior was due praise.
RB Tashard Choice, Georgia Tech
Supercompetitive, natural leader with the mental toughness to earn a starting job and produce when his number is called.
CB Reggie Corner, Akron
Terrific ball skills and great instincts should allow him to compensate for his lack of size.
MLB Curtis Lofton, Oklahoma
What he may lack in foot speed, he more than compensates for with great playing instincts and a nose for the ball.
WR Jordy Nelson, Kansas State
Came into the season with little fanfare and repeatedly arose to the occasion vs. better competition. Size, smarts and quickness could make him difficult to contain.
OT Drew Radovich, USC
Does not look the least bit the part but consistently gets the job done and is a solid, functional football player.
DE-OLB Bryan Smith, McNeese State
First-step quickness and overall athletic ability could allow him to excel in either a linebacker or speed-rush role once he bulks up.
RB Jonathan Stewart, Oregon*
Overall ability to run inside, catch and block is unsurpassed in this year?s RB class. Toe injury that he played through and ran with at the Combine has been overblown.
TE Tom Santi, Virginia
Deceptively athletic and assignment-sound, Santi has quietly flown under the radar but will earn a role as a productive player in the pros.
C-OG Fernando Velasco, Georgia
Not even invited to the Combine, Velasco is a team captain with the smarts, versatility and strength of character to become a solid pro.
http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFLDraft/Draft+Extras/2008/feature041408.htm
A look at 25 of the draft's most overrated or underrated playersBY Nolan Nawrocki
April 14, 2008
PFW takes a look at 25 players who we predict will either struggle to meet or exceed draft expectations. Those deemed overrated could still turn out to be solid pros. However, they are likely to struggle living up to the value of where they are drafted.
Conversely, those deemed underrated could turn out to be bargains for where they potentially could be drafted. In cases where a player will be drafted early in the first round, such as in the case of Branden Albert and Jonathan Stewart, we see little risk and the likelihood for greatness to be reached.
Overrated players
DT Kentwan Balmer, North Carolina
Has great strength, but hand use and ability to shed blocks is marginal. Questionable mental toughness at a position that requires a lot of it.
WR Earl Bennett, Vanderbilt*
Stood out vs. lesser Southeastern Conference competition but was easily contained vs. better competition and shows little burst or gear change in his routes to transition cleanly to the pro game.
QB Brian Brohm, Louisville
Has been oversold and overhyped his entire life and while he could still be a functional pro, he could struggle to live up to a first-round billing, should a team draft him that high.
CB Antoine Cason, Arizona
Instincts and ball skills are very good, but toughness and top-end speed seldom show up on tape.
TE Fred Davis, USC
Career underachiever with the physical tools to be a great blocker, but lack of toughness and focus could prevent him from ever reaching his potential.
QB Joe Flacco, Delaware
Inability to handle pressure, slow feet and questionable mental processing speed could restrict him at the pro level regardless of how strong his arm is.
OLB Ali Highsmith, LSU
Undersized ?backers short on explosiveness struggle to make an impact in the pros.
WR DeSean Jackson, California*
Has some elite physical tools, but poor size and lack of focus could keep him from consistently producing in the pros.
DE Lawrence Jackson, USC
Solid run defender who has all the answers, lacks mental toughness and makes too many excuses.
RB Chris Johnson, East Carolina
Teams who get blinded by his speed could overlook his inability to stay healthy running between the tackles. Value will come as a space player, not as an every-down back, which he will likely be overdrafted to be.
WR Malcolm Kelly, Oklahoma*
Cut from the same cloth as USC's Mike Williams and Dwayne Jarrett, Kelly's questionable work ethic, intelligence, mental toughness and foot speed spell B-U-S-T.
RB Kevin Smith, Central Florida*
Will be challenged in the NFL when he is asked to run between the tackles. Lack of run strength could be restricting.
CB Aqib Talib, Kansas*
Lack of functional playing speed and tendency to gamble and give up big plays could leave him with DeAngelo Hall-esque reputation as an overhyped corner who gets beat as much as he makes big plays.
Underrated players
OL Branden Albert, Virginia*
Too big, strong, smart, versatile and athletic not to excel in either guard or tackle capacities.
OG Mackenzy Bernadeau, Bentley
Has the quickness and athleticism to contribute readily at guard, if not tackle. Knee injury suffered as senior forced many teams to overlook him.
CB Tyvon Branch, Connecticut
Big, strong, physical and heavily involved on special teams, all that Branch lacked as a senior was due praise.
RB Tashard Choice, Georgia Tech
Supercompetitive, natural leader with the mental toughness to earn a starting job and produce when his number is called.
CB Reggie Corner, Akron
Terrific ball skills and great instincts should allow him to compensate for his lack of size.
MLB Curtis Lofton, Oklahoma
What he may lack in foot speed, he more than compensates for with great playing instincts and a nose for the ball.
WR Jordy Nelson, Kansas State
Came into the season with little fanfare and repeatedly arose to the occasion vs. better competition. Size, smarts and quickness could make him difficult to contain.
OT Drew Radovich, USC
Does not look the least bit the part but consistently gets the job done and is a solid, functional football player.
DE-OLB Bryan Smith, McNeese State
First-step quickness and overall athletic ability could allow him to excel in either a linebacker or speed-rush role once he bulks up.
RB Jonathan Stewart, Oregon*
Overall ability to run inside, catch and block is unsurpassed in this year?s RB class. Toe injury that he played through and ran with at the Combine has been overblown.
TE Tom Santi, Virginia
Deceptively athletic and assignment-sound, Santi has quietly flown under the radar but will earn a role as a productive player in the pros.
C-OG Fernando Velasco, Georgia
Not even invited to the Combine, Velasco is a team captain with the smarts, versatility and strength of character to become a solid pro.
http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFLDraft/Draft+Extras/2008/feature041408.htm