October 5, 2007
Scott, I have to ask you about Brian Brohm. Lately it seems he is losing momentum, why? Yes his team has a bad defense that has cost them a few games. That hasn't affected Brohm though, because he has put up big numbers. Now a lot of guys are pumping up Matt Ryan and André Woodson but are those guys really better prospects? We all know that the quarterback prospect rated #1 in the last few years before their senior years have slipped to #2, but the players they lost out to either had an amazing arm + size (Russell) or amazing athletic ability and size (Vince Young). I watched Louisville vs. Kentucky and while Woodson played really well to me he didn't do anything that said "WOW he has really great (arms strength, accuracy, mobility)". What say you?
Adrian from Chandler, Arizona
It didn't take Miss Cleo to see this coming. As you alluded to we've seen this the past two years with Matt Leinart and Brady Quinn, who both went back to school for their senior year and had their games picked apart and overanalyzed. That decision cost both Leinart and Quinn millions (and maybe tens of millions) of dollars on Draft Day and the same could eventually end up being true for Brian Brohm, who in my opinion isn't nearly as good of a prospect at the same point in the process as Matt and Brady were. I definitely don't see Brohm as an "elite" prospect and probably never will due to questions about the system he plays in and durability but there is still plenty to like about him and I really do have a hard time envisioning him getting past the Atlanta Falcons and his old coach Bobby Petrino in round one. A lot of experts are hopping off the Brohm bandwagon and labeling him as a 2nd round pick but for the time being I am sticking with him and still have him as the top senior signal caller, just ahead of André Woodson and Matt Ryan. That could obviously change though. We'll see how this ultimately shakes out for Brohm but you're absolutely right when you say that he is losing momentum on the Draft front.
- Scott Wright, NFL Draft Countdown
Do you think with good combine numbers cornerback Mike Jenkins from USF has a shot at being a 1st round pick?
Pete from Tampa
The emergence of South Florida as a Top 10 team has been one of the biggest college football stories of the year so far and Mike Jenkins definitely has a chance to ride that wave all the way into the first round of the NFL Draft next April. A number of factors will have to go into that including his play down the stretch, his workouts and which underclassmen corners come out early but in a weak senior class Jenkins has absolutely but himself in contention to be one of the top guys at his position. With prototypical size at 6-0 and 200 lbs., the only question with Jenkins physically is timed speed and if he can run better than the 4.5 that people have him estimated at then the first round will certainly be within reach. My gut tells me he is more of a 2nd rounder but his stock is on the rise and he's one of the hottest names in draft circles right now. Don't sleep on the guy who plays across from him either because Trae Williams is a legit pro prospect as well. That Bulls program is not a fluke; they have a lot of talent!
- Scott Wright, NFL Draft Countdown
As someone who grew up in Colorado I tend to watch the Buffs when they're on. Lately that's been a bit of a bummer until they beat Oklahoma. In watching them in several games this year and last year linebacker Jordon Dizon usually looks like the best player on the field. How does he project to the next level.
Andy from Las Vegas
Based on the number of questions I get about him it looks like Mr. Dizon is developing quite a cult following among draftniks. However, as impressive as his numbers have been Dizon is not a great pro prospect and at best he'll only be a mid round pick and the late rounds might be more like it. At just 6-0 (which may be generous) and 220 lbs. to say Dizon lacks the ideal size that you look for would be an understatement and he'll need to land in the right scheme to have a shot at the next level. Think Indianapolis, Tampa Bay, Denver, etc. On the positive side Dizon has good speed, is tough, has a non-stop motor and has been extremely productive. At this point I look at him as a potential backup on the weakside and special teamer in the NFL but he's the type you hate to doubt because the guy is simply a football player.
- Scott Wright, NFL Draft Countdown
In your opinion what are the biggest needs for the Indianapolis Colts?
Ben from Leicester from England
Tell me if this sounds familiar: Defense!
It's like a broken record every year but once again the vast majority of Indy's need fall on the defensive side of the ball and that's the direction I expect to see them go early and often in the 2008 NFL Draft. After investing so many picks on defensive backs in recent years I don't see them going there again but both linebacker and defensive tackle are areas where they could use some help. On offense they probably need to bring in some depth along the offensive line and look for them to target a running back to backup Joseph Addai at some point.
Keep in mind that Indianapolis doesn't have a 1st round pick in '08 because they traded it to San Francisco in order to move up for Tony Ugoh, which looking back was a terrific move.
- Scott Wright, NFL Draft Countdown
I know in the most recent mock draft that you had the Packers selecting Steve Slaton with their first round pick. Do you really believe that Ted Thompson would admit defeat with the selection of Brandon Jackson so soon? And wouldn't a young cornerback to groom behind Charles Woodson and Al Harris be more fitting for Green Bay with that first selection?
Adam from Green Bay
Unless Brandon Jackson starts showing a lot more than he has (2.6 avg.) I honestly don't know if they'll have any other option but to write him off as a bust and move on. With Vernand Morency hurt Jackson was certainly given an opportunity to take the bull by the horns and claim the starting job but he failed to do so and it appears as if he has just about fallen out of their rotation all together. It's a long season so maybe he will bounce back but unless Jackson really emerges down the stretch I absolutely see the Packers being in the market for a running back next offseason, whether it be in free agency (Michael Turner?) or the draft. Depth at cornerback is a legitimate need for Green Bay too though so that will be a possibility for them as well.
- Scott Wright, NFL Draft Countdown
Who are some Juniors this year that aren't expected to declare but, if they did, would get Top 5 or Top 10 Pick consideration?
Nicholas from Michigan
Excellent question. The top underclassmen who go back eventually end up being the top seniors available and we saw that this year with Glenn Dorsey and Jake Long, who both likely would have been Top 10 picks in the 2007 NFL Draft had they come out early. It's obviously difficult to say who will come out and who will go back this early in the process and often times those guys end up being surprises anyway but at this point the guy who jumps out at me is Ole Miss offensive tackle Michael Oher. Perhaps best known for being the subject of Michael Lewis' book The Blind Side, the 6-6, 322 lb. Oher has developed into an excellent left tackle prospect and would likely be a first round pick if he came out as a junior. However, if he goes back for his senior year Oher could be the next Joe Thomas or Jake Long and set himself up to be a Top 5 overall pick in 2009. Keep an eye on Oregon running back Jonathan Stewart as well.
- Scott Wright, NFL Draft Countdown
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