As anyone who follows the NFL Draft knows positive or negative momentum can play a big role in determining where a player is ultimately chosen. The following is a look at players who have that buzz at the moment as well as some who do not. Please keep in mind that this is just a weekly snapshot of football's hottest prospects and is not a replacement or an update to the positional rankings or mock draft. For example, a player could be #1 on this list but that might only mean he has gone from a 7th round pick to a 5th rounder. Here are the prospects who have all that helium:
1. Branden Albert, OG, Virginia
There is no question that Jake Long is the cream of the crop when it comes to offensive linemen in this draft but Branden Albert has seen his stock soar recently and he is making a serious run at the Top 10 overall. An All-American guard in college, Albert came out after his junior season and while he was still somewhat of an unknown to most casual observers just a few months ago he is now one of the hottest prospects in this draft. The catalyst behind his meteoric rise has been his ability to potentially kick outside to left tackle, which he did for a couple of games in '07 when Eugene Monroe was hurt, and lately more and more teams are becoming convinced that he will be able to handle that transition full-time at the next level. Albert is now firmly in the Top 15 overall and he could very well wind up being the second offensive lineman off the board on Draft Day.
2. Jerod Mayo, ILB, Tennessee
Linebacker is widely regarded to be one of the weaker positions in this draft but it has gotten a little stronger with the emergence of Jerod Mayo as a legitimate first round pick. In fact, Mayo will probably be the second linebacker chosen on Draft Day, ahead of the much more hyped Dan Connor. Mayo came out after a terrific junior season but what has allowed him to go from a second or third round pick to a sure-fire first was his showing at the Scouting Combine, where he weighed in at 242 lbs. (up 12 lbs. from what he was listed at in college) and ran an impressive 4.54 forty. Mayo played both the middle and weakside in college and could project to either position at the next level, depending on team and defensive scheme, and it's that versatility along with his speed, athleticism and production that has made him one of this draft's hottest commodities.
3. Duane Brown, OT, Virginia Tech
Scouts can't stop raving about the strength of this offensive line class and Duane Brown is yet another reason why. A 6-4, 315 lb. former right end (he caught 3 passes for 64 yards in 2004), Brown is obviously a fantastic athlete and he moves very well for a man of his dimensions, making him a perfect fit for teams that utilize a zone blocking scheme. On the negative side he isn't overly strong or physical, he won't dominate opponents with sheer power and he's still somewhat raw but those are all things that can be corrected. After flying under the radar as a presumed mid-rounder throughout most of the process Brown's stock has steadily been rising and it now looks like he's a sure-fire 2nd rounder with a chance to maybe even work his way into the late first.
4. Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan St.
Depending on who you ask any one of four players could be considered the top wide receiver prospect in this draft but don't be surprised if Devin Thomas is ultimately the first off the board. He may have only had one big year with the Spartans before coming out after his junior season but Thomas has everything you look for in terms of size (6-2, 216) and speed (4.40) and it's not hard to make the case that long-term he has more upside than any wideout in this draft. As an added bonus Thomas also excels at running after the catch and can be a weapon as a return man as well. Thomas has taken full advantage of his workouts and after strong showings at the Combine and his Pro Day he is now a first round pick and could even break into the Top 20.
5. Justin King, CB, Penn St.
Even before the start of the 2007 season there were strong indications that Justin King would enter the draft early, especially since he was on track to graduate after just three years, and even though he did not have the junior season most were expecting that's exactly what he did. On paper King looks like a Top 10 pick with an ideal blend of size (5-11, 192), speed (4.31) and athleticism but the problem is those physical tools have not always translated into on-field production. Still, King has been one of this year's "Workout Warriors" and he has gone from a probable 3rd or 4th round pick all the way up to the 2nd round range and he even has an outside shot of cracking the latter portion of round one. He has some question marks but it's hard not to fall in love with those measurables and if the light ever does come on he can be a true #1 corner in the NFL.
6. Dustin Keller, TE, Purdue
You could make the case that the breakout star of the 2008 Scouting Combine was Dustin Keller. After laying low and opting not to participate in any of the postseason All-Star games Keller had become somewhat of a forgotten man. Until he showed up in Indy and blew the roof off the RCA Dome that is. His performance was not quite on the same level as Vernon Davis' or Greg Olsen's from years past but he was clearly and without question the most impressive tight end in attendance, finishing in the Top 10 at his position in all seven of the main events. Keller is now either the first or second rated tight end on just about everybody's board with a legitimate shot at cracking the first round and worst-case scenario he won't fall any further than round two.
7. Tyrell Johnson, S, Arkansas St.
Safety just may be the weakest position in this draft but that has allowed a relative unknown like Johnson to surface as an interesting prospect. A smart, productive, physical safety with good athleticism, Johnson didn't receive a lot of national attention because of where he went to school but that has not stopped the NFL from noticing him. In the last few months Johnson has ever so quietly emerged as one of the top rated safeties in this draft and at this point it doesn't look like there is much of a chance he will make it out of the 2nd round.
8. Joe Flacco, QB, Delaware
Throughout the '07 season Joe Flacco became a permanent staple of this list and while he isn't ranked quite as high as he was at one point that is only because his stock has risen about as high as it can go. Flacco is now the #2 or #3 rated signal caller on most teams boards and it looks like at worst he is going to be a high second round pick. In fact, do not be surprised if some team makes a deal to trade back into the latter part of the first round to select him. Flacco might be this year's poster boy for how much "buzz" can help a player.
9. Jeremy Zuttah, C, Rutgers
In a draft devoid of any top center prospects Jeremy Zuttah may be emerging as the top option in the pivot, even though he has never played the position. A college tackle, Zuttah just does not have the size to remain outside at the next level which is why he is being projected as either a guard or a center by most teams. That versatility, along with his top athleticism and intangibles, has helped make Zuttah one of the hottest interior offensive linemen available this year. Don't be shocked if he comes off the board as early as the third round.
10. Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt
While everyone focused on Jake Long, Ryan Clady and even Jeff Otah as the top offensive tackle prospects Chris Williams slowly made his way up draft boards around the league to the point where he is now almost a sure-fire Top 15-20 overall pick. One of only two true left tackles in round one ( along with Clady ), Williams may wind up being the beneficiary of there being a pack of four or five teams in the middle of round one who are all in need of offensive line help. That's certainly not to say he isn't deserving of going that high though.
The Not-So-Hot List
Mario Manningham, WR, Michigan
There was a point where Mario Manningham was in the running to be the first wide receiver selected but that all changed at the Scouting Combine. First of all he ran in the 4.6 range, which was a terrible time for a guy whose calling card's his ability to be a vertical big play threat. With that said he ran much better at Michigan's Pro Day so that damage was negated to a certain degree. However, where Manningham really hurt himself in Indy was in the interviews, where he reportedly lied to NFL decision makers. He did circulate a letter to all of the franchises a couple weeks later apologizing but the damage had already been done. This latest miscue combined with his past off-the-field transgressions have sent Manningham's stock tumbling and he has gone from a likely first round pick to a second or third rounder. Manningham is talented, there's no question about that, but in the day and age of Pacman Jones, Michael Vick and Chris Henry teams simply aren't going to be as willing to overlook character concerns like they did in the past. That won't bode well for Mario on Draft Day.
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