ELITE CLASS OF DRAFTEES
Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2004 2:37 am
Here is a list of some of the finest young players entering the draft from www.cnnsportsline.com...
QB Ben Roethlisberger, Miami of Ohio. A monster (6-5, 240) with a great arm, surprising mobility and grit. He has room to grow because he hasn't been playing quarterback long and has faced mostly mid-major competition. Still, 1. Chad Pennington and Byron Leftwich came out of the MAC (to say nothing of small-schoolers Daunte Culpepper and Steve McNair), and Roethlisberger has the work ethic to smooth out his rough edges (progressions, reading defenses).
Best/most likely destination: CARDINALS.
QB Eli Manning, Mississippi. Eli's arm strength and accuracy are similar to those of his brother, Peyton, but he is a bit more athletic. His mechanics and football IQ are better than most quarterbacks coming out of college, and they could improve with work and time. He has quick feet, though he isn't really mobile, and he loses accuracy the further downfield he throws. A great immediate fit in Pittsburgh's quick-hitting, receiver-rich passing game.
Best/most likely destination: STEELERS.
RB Kevin Jones, Virginia Tech. Jones, a speedster with game-breaking ability but questionable size (6-0, 211), power and NFL durability, could be the first running back selected. He could get worn down or hurt in a grind-it-out attack, but put him in situations where he can use his speed and pass-catching ability 15-20 times a game, and he could be explosive. Think Onterrio Smith.
Best/most likely destination: REDSKINS AND LIONS.
RB Chris Perry, Michigan. Perry doesn't wow scouts the way other top running backs often do, but complete players with adequate size at the position who excel in college often do well in the pros. He is an Eddie George-type runner in terms of vision, patience and power. Perry might be a tad shiftier, though, like George, he doesn't have that second gear to outrun defenders.
Best/most likely destination: COWBOYS AND BEARS.
RB Steven Jackson, Oregon
State. For a runner with the size to be a workhorse back (6-3, 227), Jackson can haul. He has a powerful, slashing style, but it is his ability to get to top speed quickly that sets him apart from most at his position. He could produce in just about any offense, but he would be especially effective as a cutback runner in a zone-blocking scheme like Denver's or Kansas City's. Too bad those teams already have studs at Jackson's position.
Best/most likely destination: COWBOYS AND PATRIOTS.
WR Larry Fitzgerald, Pittsburgh. Fitzgerald is only a sophomore, but he appears as ready for the NFL as any receiver coming out of college in recent memory. He has quality size (6-3, 218), and though he doesn't have blinding speed, he is fast enough and rates off the charts almost everywhere else. He is an excellent route runner, gets good separation and has amazing hands on the run or in traffic. He will have huge scoring potential and should be an instant success. You're welcome, Mike Vick.
Best/most likely destination: ATLANTA.
WR Reggie Williams, Washington. Williams, like Fitzgerald, has excellent size and quickness, and more than adequate speed -- which is enhanced by his ability to top out faster than most big receivers. He will beat press coverage and be a matchup nightmare for most cornerbacks because of that size and his agility, but his route-running skills and hands could use work. He could be a nice replacement for Terrell Owens in San Francisco.
Best/most likely destination: 49ERS AND JETS.
WR Roy Williams, Texas. The biggest knock on Williams is his durability, and he was healthy for all of 2003. He is big (6-3, 210), strong and quick, which makes him almost impossible to press at the line. He hasn't clocked well, but he has deceptive speed and often gets over the top of DBs downfield. Like most young receivers, his route running could be better, but Williams will be a solid No. 3 fantasy starter from Day One if he lands in the right spot.
Best/most likely destination: RAIDERS.
TE Kellen Winslow Jr., Miami. Winslow might turn out to be the best player in this year's draft, though he will have to wind up in the right system for that to show right away. He is a more athletic and instinctual pass catcher than most wide receivers in the draft, but he has tight end size (6-5, 230). Combine that with his excellent speed, and you have a bear of a matchup for NFL safeties and linebackers. He could be a top-five fantasy tight end coming out of the gate.
Best/most likely destination: LIONS AND BILLS.
TE Ben Troupe, Florida. Troupe has good size (6-4, 253) and speed for a player with his speed and skill, but he still could be only a part-time player (at least early on) if he is drafted into a system that stresses blocking over receiving ability at his position. That said, his hands, burst off the ball and out of his breaks and ability to get downfield will make him a nice weapon on third downs for any club.
Best/most likely destination: RAMS AND LIONS
QB Ben Roethlisberger, Miami of Ohio. A monster (6-5, 240) with a great arm, surprising mobility and grit. He has room to grow because he hasn't been playing quarterback long and has faced mostly mid-major competition. Still, 1. Chad Pennington and Byron Leftwich came out of the MAC (to say nothing of small-schoolers Daunte Culpepper and Steve McNair), and Roethlisberger has the work ethic to smooth out his rough edges (progressions, reading defenses).
Best/most likely destination: CARDINALS.
QB Eli Manning, Mississippi. Eli's arm strength and accuracy are similar to those of his brother, Peyton, but he is a bit more athletic. His mechanics and football IQ are better than most quarterbacks coming out of college, and they could improve with work and time. He has quick feet, though he isn't really mobile, and he loses accuracy the further downfield he throws. A great immediate fit in Pittsburgh's quick-hitting, receiver-rich passing game.
Best/most likely destination: STEELERS.
RB Kevin Jones, Virginia Tech. Jones, a speedster with game-breaking ability but questionable size (6-0, 211), power and NFL durability, could be the first running back selected. He could get worn down or hurt in a grind-it-out attack, but put him in situations where he can use his speed and pass-catching ability 15-20 times a game, and he could be explosive. Think Onterrio Smith.
Best/most likely destination: REDSKINS AND LIONS.
RB Chris Perry, Michigan. Perry doesn't wow scouts the way other top running backs often do, but complete players with adequate size at the position who excel in college often do well in the pros. He is an Eddie George-type runner in terms of vision, patience and power. Perry might be a tad shiftier, though, like George, he doesn't have that second gear to outrun defenders.
Best/most likely destination: COWBOYS AND BEARS.
RB Steven Jackson, Oregon
State. For a runner with the size to be a workhorse back (6-3, 227), Jackson can haul. He has a powerful, slashing style, but it is his ability to get to top speed quickly that sets him apart from most at his position. He could produce in just about any offense, but he would be especially effective as a cutback runner in a zone-blocking scheme like Denver's or Kansas City's. Too bad those teams already have studs at Jackson's position.
Best/most likely destination: COWBOYS AND PATRIOTS.
WR Larry Fitzgerald, Pittsburgh. Fitzgerald is only a sophomore, but he appears as ready for the NFL as any receiver coming out of college in recent memory. He has quality size (6-3, 218), and though he doesn't have blinding speed, he is fast enough and rates off the charts almost everywhere else. He is an excellent route runner, gets good separation and has amazing hands on the run or in traffic. He will have huge scoring potential and should be an instant success. You're welcome, Mike Vick.
Best/most likely destination: ATLANTA.
WR Reggie Williams, Washington. Williams, like Fitzgerald, has excellent size and quickness, and more than adequate speed -- which is enhanced by his ability to top out faster than most big receivers. He will beat press coverage and be a matchup nightmare for most cornerbacks because of that size and his agility, but his route-running skills and hands could use work. He could be a nice replacement for Terrell Owens in San Francisco.
Best/most likely destination: 49ERS AND JETS.
WR Roy Williams, Texas. The biggest knock on Williams is his durability, and he was healthy for all of 2003. He is big (6-3, 210), strong and quick, which makes him almost impossible to press at the line. He hasn't clocked well, but he has deceptive speed and often gets over the top of DBs downfield. Like most young receivers, his route running could be better, but Williams will be a solid No. 3 fantasy starter from Day One if he lands in the right spot.
Best/most likely destination: RAIDERS.
TE Kellen Winslow Jr., Miami. Winslow might turn out to be the best player in this year's draft, though he will have to wind up in the right system for that to show right away. He is a more athletic and instinctual pass catcher than most wide receivers in the draft, but he has tight end size (6-5, 230). Combine that with his excellent speed, and you have a bear of a matchup for NFL safeties and linebackers. He could be a top-five fantasy tight end coming out of the gate.
Best/most likely destination: LIONS AND BILLS.
TE Ben Troupe, Florida. Troupe has good size (6-4, 253) and speed for a player with his speed and skill, but he still could be only a part-time player (at least early on) if he is drafted into a system that stresses blocking over receiving ability at his position. That said, his hands, burst off the ball and out of his breaks and ability to get downfield will make him a nice weapon on third downs for any club.
Best/most likely destination: RAMS AND LIONS
