Draft Breakdown » Gil Alcaraz IV

Michigan RB Toussaint suspended indefinitely after DUI

Gil Alcaraz IV — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 23:22:28 +0000

On the same day that the Penn State football program got pummeled into the ground, another Big Ten school took a significant blow.

Confirmed by Michigan head coach Brady Hoke himself, starting running back Fitzgerald Toussaint has been suspended after being arrested and charged with driving under the influence this weekend.

“Fitz made a poor decision and has been suspended indefinitely because of that action,” Hoke said in a statement. “There are expectations that come with being a student-athlete at the University of Michigan and those responsibilities were not met in this instance.”

According to SalinePatch.com, Toussaint was arrested around 11:45 p.m. on Saturday night in Ann Arbor. After being pulled over due to a traffic violation, a breathalyzer revealed that the Michigan runner was over the .08 legal BAC limit. He was arrested and charged with operating a vehicle while impaired.

As made evident by the “indefinitely” part of Hoke’s statement, it’s unknown how much time Toussaint will miss this upcoming season for the Wolverines. It’s likely that his suspension will consume the entire preseason and could even take a chunk out of the regular season as well. Considering that Michigan kicks off the season against the Alabama Crimson Tide, this could prove to be a very painful suspension.

Last season, Toussaint led all Michigan running backs with 1,091 yards and nine touchdowns on 187 carries. Although he’s considered a talented runner, he has shown little thus far to put his name in the running for NFL Draft consideration. This arrest doesn’t help, either.

With Toussaint currently out of the picture, the Wolverines will have to depend on senior Vincent and sophomore Thomas Rawls to pick up the slack in the running game. Smith finished last season with 298 yards and two touchdowns on 50 touches, whereas Rawls contributed a meager 79 yards on 13 carries.

Michigan was looking like one of the favorites to come away with the Big Ten Legends Division crown. This certainly won’t help their standing and it isn’t helping Toussaint get any closer to tasting the NFL when his time in Ann Arbor is over.

Josh Gordon getting early-round grades for 2012 NFL Supplemental Draft

Gil Alcaraz IV — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 22:25:18 +0000

Of the few prospects available during the 2012 Supplemental Draft, former Baylor wide receiver Josh Gordon has received the majority of the pre-draft buzz. And for good reason…

Not only is he a tremendously talented player, but he possesses the potential to develop into a legitimate No. 1 wide receiver at the next level. He’s a gifted athlete with the soft hands and elusiveness after the catch that NFL teams covet. The 6’3’’, 220-pound receiver reportedly runs a 4.3 40-yard dash and has star-caliber upside.

Some scouts have even said that he’s better than his former Baylor teammate Kendall Wright, who was drafted No. 20 overall by the Tennessee Titans in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Many scouts predict that Gordon won’t get past the third round of the draft, but any interested teams will certainly be wary of the risk involved. More often than not, supplemental draft picks fail to pan out, which means that a pick from the next year’s draft has gone to waste. Still, the former Baylor Bear possesses enough intrigue that he might even go in the second round.

To give you a point of reference: the Oakland Raiders spent a third-round pick on former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor last season. Although the jury is still out on how well that has worked, it doesn’t appear that Pryor is anywhere closer to being the Raiders’ starting quarterback than he was the day they drafted him.

In hopes of grabbing even more teams’ attention, Gordon will hold a workout on Tuesday, July 10.

The one lingering issue for Gordon is his off-field problems. He was suspended by Baylor for the 2011 season before transferring to Utah, where he never played a single down. His workout could give him an opportunity to prove that he has turned a new leaf with a future in the NFL just around the corner.

There are only a few days remaining until the 2012 NFL Supplemental Draft gets under way. On July 12, we’ll find out whether or not the hype about Gordon is enough to get him drafted by the third round.

Small-school studs worth watching: Tusculum QB Bo Cordell

Gil Alcaraz IV — Sun, 20 May 2012 19:02:38 +0000

You may not know this name, but you certainly should.

Hailing from the little-known Tusculum College, quarterback Bo Cordell has spent the past few seasons rewriting the school record book and racking up ridiculous amounts of yardage.

Since his freshman year at Tusculum, Cordell has been the starting quarterback for the Pioneers. Before breaking his foot three games into the 2011 season, every sub-division award watch list that included quarterbacks had his name on it. He was named the 2011 Preseason National Division II Football Most Valuable Player by Lindy’s Sports Magazine and was on the shortlist of players to watch for the 2011 Harlon Hill Trophy (Division II’s version of the Heisman).

What really got Cordell on NFL radars, though, was his 2010 season. During his sophomore campaign, Cordell led all NCAA divisions in total offensive yards per game (425.45), passing yards per game (423.36) and completions per game (35.82). He broke several school records, including total passing yards (4,657) and passing touchdowns (38) in a single season. During a showdown with Catawba, Cordell put up an astounding 510 yards through the air. His entire 2010 season was summed up when he was named the 2010 NCAA II National Statistical Champion.

Combining an NFL-caliber arm with impressive confidence and leadership, Cordell does a good job of standing strong in the pocket and delivering a consistently-accurate ball. He possesses good pocket awareness and uses his eyes/feet to make time for himself. Even when on the run, he keeps his eyes downfield and doesn’t immediately bail out the defense by tucking the ball. Cordell excels at finding his check downs and doesn’t force too many passes into coverage. Although he doesn’t have a rocket-like arm, his passes have some zip that allows him to put the ball into tight spaces. He’s not a supreme athlete, but has the mobility and instincts to make plays on the ground.

Despite his overwhelming stats and stature as an elite Division II gunslinger, Cordell’s game isn’t without a few holes.

Regardless of his athleticism, Cordell has a tendency to rely too heavily on his feet when the pocket collapses. It may work sometimes against Division II foes, but his lack of elite speed isn’t going to allow him to escape NFL defenses. He needs to do a better job of standing his ground and either delivering the ball quicker or getting rid of it. Cordell’s pocket presence isn’t the best, but his offensive line at Tusculum does a great job of giving him time to throw. Several of his interceptions came from overthrown deep balls, showing that he doesn’t have a terrific grasp of downfield accuracy. He also has a knack for putting too much air under the ball when throwing deep.

He doesn’t have ideal height for an NFL quarterback at 6’1’’ and doesn’t help that with a three-quarters release. Especially when he’s on the run, Cordell does have a tendency to throw sidearm. Cordell has thrived in Tusculum’s spread offense, where he takes snaps almost exclusively out of the shotgun. He will need time to develop a better grasp of going through progressions and learning how to take snaps from under center.

The biggest concern surrounding Cordell heading into the 2012 season is whether or not he’s completely recovered from his broken foot. Although he’s already announced that he’s back to full health and performed exceptionally during spring scrimmages, it’ll be interesting to see if the injury lingers.

As long as he can stay healthy and continue to build on his past performances, Cordell could find a way onto NFL draft boards before season’s end. He may not be worth more than a late-round flier, but he’ll have a reasonable chance to make a roster at the next level.

Air Force RB Clark disenrolled after drug investigation

Gil Alcaraz IV — Sat, 19 May 2012 19:53:58 +0000

Only one week before graduation, Air Force’s No. 2 career rusher, running back Asher Clark, has been removed from the academy as part of an investigation into illegal drug use.

Although Air Force spokesman David Cannon couldn’t divulge as to why Clark was disenrolled, he did confirm that the Falcons’ four-year starting running back has been kicked out of school. Several other unnamed sources, however, said that his departure was due to the drug investigation.

The academy’s investigation into drug use involved 31 cadets, including several scholar-athletes. Air Force has a zero tolerance policy regarding drug use, which is why Clark was sent packing only a week before graduation. It’s unclear as to whether or not Clark will have to repay the money for his education.

With 3,594 rushing yards to his credit, Clark was only 18 yards shy of former Air Force quarterback Dee Dowis’ all-time school rushing yards record. Clark has surpassed the 1,000-yard mark in the past two seasons, including 1,110 yards in 2011. Throughout his career, he also amassed 24 touchdowns while picking up 5.7 yards per carry.

What a tough way to learn a valuable life lesson.

Small-school studs worth watching: Georgia Southern DT Brent Russell

Gil Alcaraz IV — Sat, 19 May 2012 18:55:29 +0000

Considered one of the most dominant FCS prospects heading into the 2012 college season, Georgia Southern defensive tackle Brent Russell has spent the majority of his football career in opposing backfields.

Georgia Southern’s own one-man wrecking crew, Russell comes into his senior season with few lingering questions about his abilities as a play-maker and plenty of high expectations.

Throughout the 2011 season, Russell proved to be a constant thorn in the sides of opposing offenses. His dominance was rewarded when he was named as a second-team FCS All-American. Although his 67 total tackles, 6.5 sacks and one blocked kick were impressive, there was one stat that stood out above the rest: his 16.5 tackles for loss.

Put simply, Russell lives in opposing offenses’ backfields. He has the penetrating power that not even double teams can contain and can be found roaming the backfield on almost every play. More often than not, teams are forced to chip block him with backs and often draws triple teams, which also opens holes for other defenders to penetrate through. His swim move is deadly, helping him power past blockers and wreak havoc on the opposing offense’s timing. Many times, Russell manages to find his way behind the line before the play has time to develop, forcing quarterbacks and running backs into tough situations.

At times, however, Russell can take plays off and seems satisfied in a stalemate with his blocker. Especially when he doesn’t get an instant jump on his blocker during passing plays, Russell settles with holding his ground and attempting to clog passing lanes. When the play goes outside, Russell doesn’t offer much in the way of the pursuit but will flatten out and work his way down the line. There were several instances where Russell bit on play action, which can be a downside to his aggressive playing style.

Another concern could arise regarding Russell’s character as the draft draws nearer. The monster defensive tackle has been suspended before for violating team rules, which will grab scouts’ attention. Especially considering how many character issues have hindered small-school prospects as of late, Russell will definitely need to keep his hands clean in 2012.

Although some will question whether Russell’s dominance can continue to the next level, it’s promising to see that this big fish in a small pond is making such a huge impact for his team. He’s consistently seen as the standout talent game in and game out and can be expected to shine on tape on a weekly basis.

As more people begin to take notice of Russell’s overwhelming presence along the defensive line, his draft stock will start to skyrocket. Barring a wretched 2012 season, Russell could hear his name called as early as the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft.

Russell is a man among boys at Georgia Southern and shouldn’t have too much trouble grabbing NFL coaches’ attention in 2012.

Small-school studs worth watching: Southern Utah QB Brad Sorensen

Gil Alcaraz IV — Thu, 17 May 2012 19:21:15 +0000

A BYU transfer, Southern Utah quarterback Brad Sorensen has quickly made a name for himself as one of the top small-school gunslingers worth watching in 2012.

Measuring in at 6’5’’, 225 pounds, Sorensen has spent the past two seasons shredding opposing Great Western Conference secondaries. In 2012, however, he’ll have the opportunity to prove himself against the best that the Big Sky Conference has to offer.

With matchups against top sub-FBS programs like Montana and Montana State, Sorensen is going to have several chances to wow NFL scouts with his phenomenal field vision and big arm. He also possesses noteworthy accuracy and prototypical size for an NFL quarterback.

Speaking of field vision… Sorensen’s is as outstanding as you can expect from a Division IAA talent. Whether he’s on the move or staring pressure straight in the face, Sorensen does a great job of reading defenses and finding holes in the coverage. When forced to scramble, he keeps his eyes down field and uses his movement to open passing lanes. Combined with his accuracy, his vision allows him to pick apart defenses with ease.

Although he’s not a big fan of picking up yards with his feet, Sorensen definitely has the ability to make an impact on the ground. Combining terrific size with surprising mobility, Sorensen moves well in the pocket and uses his strength to shrug off arm tackles. He shows good footwork and awareness to step up and avoid oncoming tacklers and takes proper angles to avoid big hits when in the open field.

Last season, Sorensen was named the Great Western Conference’s Offensive Player of the Year while leading the Thunderbirds to a 6-5 record. Throughout the season, he amassed 3,143 passing yards and 17 touchdowns while completing 288 of his 425 passes (67.8 percent). Although he accompanied those impressive yardage numbers with 11 interceptions, Sorensen struggled with subpar blocking, being sacked 31 times in 11 games. Southern Utah’s overwhelming emphasis on the pass is partially to blame, though.

During the 2010 season with Southern Utah, Sorensen was much more effective. Despite throwing 35 less passes, he accumulated more yards (3,163) and had a noticeably-better touchdown-to-interception ratio (21:6). The Thunderbirds, however, also had a more-prominent rushing game in 2010, which limited opposing defenses’ abilities to pin their ears back and put pressure on Sorensen.

Some of those interceptions are results of Sorensen’s overconfidence and willingness to squeeze passes into traffic. Although his arm strength typically allows him to fit passes into tight windows, he can occasionally force a throw that ends up going the other direction. That, however, is a coachable problem.

When making the jump to the NFL, Sorensen will also have his hands full adjusting to the increased level of competition. That, however, comes standard with being a small-school prospect.

The other knock on Sorensen that could affect his draft stock is the fact that Southern Utah strictly runs a spread offense that relies heavily on the passing attack. Sorensen takes snaps almost exclusively out of the shotgun, but still has the vision and quarterback IQ to consistently make the secondary reads.

For the past two seasons, Sorensen has played his way onto the Walter Payton Award Watch List. This upcoming season, he has the opportunity to play his way onto numerous NFL draft boards. If he can return to his 2010 form and continue to mature as a passer, he could easily be in line for an early-to-mid-round pick during the 2013 NFL Draft.

Gil’s Top 25 seniors eligible for the 2013 NFL Draft

Gil Alcaraz IV — Wed, 16 May 2012 18:50:19 +0000

Now that the 2012 NFL Draft is in the rear view mirror, what better time to take a look at some of top senior prospects will be available for next year’s 2013 NFL Draft.

Join me as I give you a quick rundown of my Top 25 seniors heading into the 2012 college season.

1. Matt Barkley, Quarterback, USC

Had Barkley declared for the 2013 draft, he would have been a Top 5 pick. Instead, he stayed in school and will be looking to put the Trojans back on top in 2012. Let’s just hope he stays healthy.

2. Tyler Wilson, Quarterback, Arkansas

Wilson has all of the tools to succeed in 2012, but will have some hurdles to clear after losing his head coach and most of his top 2011 targets. A big part of his 2013 draft status will depend on how he adjusts.

3. Star Lotulelei, Defensive Tackle, Utah

A likely nose tackle at the next level, Lotulelei has emerged as a dominant force in the middle. He still has some rough edges to smooth out, but his penetrating ability and motor already have NFL scouts drooling.

4. Manti Te’o, Inside Linebacker, Notre Dame

Using his phenomenal instincts and ability to shed blocks, Te’o has made a name for himself as one of the best linebackers to come out of the college ranks in years. He has all of the tools to be an elite NFL linebacker.

5. Barrett Jones, Center, Alabama

It’ll be an interesting year for Jones, who’s making the move to center. If he can continue to be as dominant in 2012, though, the versatility will only make him more valuable of a prospect.

6. Sean Porter, Outside Linebacker, Texas A&M

One of this year’s top pass rushers, Porter has the speed, agility and drive to consistently put pressure on opposing passers. He might not be Von Miller, but he’ll definitely turn some heads in 2012.

7. Alex Okafor, Defensive End, Texas

Prior to his recent arrest, Okafor was considered one of the top 2013 prospects. Although the arrest won’t plummet his stock, he’s going to have his hands full this season living up to his top billing.

8. T.J. McDonald, Free Safety, USC

Barring any injuries or a huge drop in effectiveness, McDonald will be 2013’s top safety prospect. He’s a gifted athlete who flies around the field making plays effortlessly. His return will help USC succeed this season.

9. Ricky Wagner, Offensive Tackle, Wisconsin

Wagner has some big shoes to fill as Wisconsin’s left tackle, but he held his own last year. As long as he continues to improve in 2012, the Badgers could be boasting another Outland Trophy winner/first round pick.

10. Margus Hunt, Defensive End, SMU

Hunt is a physical freak at 6’8’’, 280 pounds. He can bench 225 35 times and can run the 40-yard dash in approximately 4.6 seconds. Hunt is athletic as they come and will be the talk of the town come draft day 2013.

11. Kawann Short, Defensive Tackle, Purdue

A mauler on the inside, Short eats up double teams and collapses running lanes with ease. Like most defensive lineman, his technique needs some adjustment. All of the skills are there for him to become special, though.

12. Jonathan Banks, Cornerback, Mississippi State

One of top coverage cornerbacks in the 2013 class, Banks also is a willing run supporter. As well-rounded as you can expect from a college cover man, Banks could elevate himself to top-10 status before season’s end.

13. Chase Thomas, Outside Linebacker, Stanford

Another elite pass rusher, Thomas displays the strength and technique that NFL teams love out of their outside linebackers. He dropped off a bit in 2011, but should have a bounce back season in 2012.

14. Montee Ball, Running Back, Wisconsin

Ball is as productive as college running backs come. Unfortunately, his recent off-field problems could make NFL coaches reconsider. Still, if he can put on a tremendous encore, he’ll definitely push for a first-round pick.

15. Tavon Austin, Wide Receiver, West Virginia

This year’s Kendall Wright, Austin has the speed and separating ability that NFL teams love in their slot receivers. His size isn’t ideal, but his home run abilities as both a receiver and returner are huge pluses.

16. Landry Jones, Quarterback, Oklahoma

After a disappointing 2011 season, Jones has become the under-the-radar quarterback of the 2013 draft. He has an NFL-caliber arm and seems ready to bounce back during his senior year.

17. Wes Horton, Defensive End, USC

USC defensive ends have had considerable success over the past few years while transitioning to the NFL, and the story should be the same for Horton. His stock could skyrocket with a big 2012 campaign.

18. Kevin Reddick, Inside Linebacker, North Carolina

An extremely consistent player, Reddick is easily one of the most intriguing linebackers heading into the 2013 draft. He has great instincts and the outstanding athleticism that NFL teams will be looking for.

19. Knile Davis, Running Back, Arkansas

Where Davis goes in the 2013 draft will depend largely on how he recovers from a season-ending ankle fracture in 2011. When he’s healthy, Davis has the size and speed to be a lethal runner at the next level.

20. Brandon Jenkins, Outside Linebacker, Florida State

One of the better natural pass-rushers of the 2013 class, Jenkins needs a big season to help keep him among the top prospects. He’ll be a terrific tweener in the NFL if he can live up to his potential.

21. Shayne Skov, Inside Linebacker, Stanford

An injury put a damper on Skov’s 2011 season, but the talented linebacker is primed for a breakout year in 2012. As long as he can stay healthy, Skov has the skill set to become an elite play-maker in the NFL.

22. Khaled Holmes, Center, USC

Holmes will face the daunting task of protecting the draft’s most-valuable player in 2012. If he can handle the challenge and keep Barkley’s jersey clean, Holmes could hear his name called early on.

23. Jonathan Jenkins, Defensive Tackle, Georgia

When Jenkins’ motor is running, he’s among the best defensive tackles in the nation at collapsing the pocket. The fact that he’s extremely inconsistent is the only thing holding him back at this point.

24. Jonathan Cooper, Guard, North Carolina

How high Cooper goes will depend largely on his ability to stay healthy in 2012. He has the big body and mean streak that NFL coaches love from their guards, but will need to keep himself on the field.

25. Robert Lester, Free Safety, Alabama

Mark Barron’s partner in crime during the 2011 season, Lester will have a heavy burden on his shoulders to deliver without Barron at his side. Still, he’s a natural play-maker who will find a way to perform.

Top 10 steals of the 2012 NFL Draft

Gil Alcaraz IV — Wed, 09 May 2012 20:07:46 +0000

With the 2012 NFL Draft in the rear view mirror, I’ve decided to take a look at some of what I consider to be the biggest steals from draft weekend.

From top talents who slid due to injury to players who simply got passed up on for lower-ranked players at their position, several teams managed to find terrific value later than it was expected to be available.

So here we go; my Top 10 steals of the 2012 NFL Draft and what makes them steals.

10. Arkansas WR Greg Childs: Minnesota Vikings, No. 134

Before the beginning of the 2011 season, Childs was considered a first-round receiver talent. Unfortunately for the former Razorback, a lingering knee injury hindered his ability to be effective throughout his senior season. Still, if Childs can stay healthy and prove that he’s at 100%, he could finally provide the Vikings with the deep threat that their offense has been lacking over the past couple of seasons.

9. Mississippi OT Bobby Massie: Arizona Cardinals, No. 112

It was a bit worrisome to see Massie slide all the way down to the fourth round, but when the Cardinals were finally on the clock, it was time for his fall to end. With terrific size and surprising athleticism, Massie has the talent to develop into one of the best offensive lineman to come out of the 2012 draft. To make matters even better for the Cardinals, he could be ready to step in and contribute immediately as part of their subpar offensive line.

8. Cal ILB Mychal Kendricks: Philadelphia Eagles, No. 64

For the past few seasons, the Eagles have been without a dominant middle linebacker who can be a consistent enforcer. Well, when they drafted Kendricks, they got exactly that. Arguably one of the most underrated players in the draft, Kendricks proved during his days at Cal that he can be extremely productive from the middle linebacker spot. He has the leadership skills to step in immediately and should alleviate some of the woes that the Eagles’ linebacking corps has been suffering from lately.

7. Nebraska DE Jared Crick: Houston Texans, No. 126

Before a torn pectoral cut Crick’s 2011 season short, he was considered one of the top defensive line prospects available for the 2012 NFL Draft. So when such a talent began to slide down the boards, it was uncertain how far the injury would let Crick fall. And then, the Texans caught him at No. 126 and landed themselves a top talent at a terrific price. If Crick can stay healthy and prove that he’s at full health, the Texans might have landed a player who can produce efficiently for the next decade.

6. Washington DT Alameda Ta’amu: Pittsburgh Steelers, No. 109

Aguably one of the best nose tackles in the 2012 draft class, it was a bit surprising to see Ta’amu slide all the way into the fourth round. Combining surprising athleticism with an impressive ability to stuff up running lanes, Ta’amu was seen as a second-third round pick heading into the draft. The Steelers were looking to find the successor for aging Casey Hampton, and found the steal they needed with Ta’amu in the fourth round.

5. LSU WR Rueben Randle: New York Giants, No. 63

As the rest of the NFL continued to overlook Randle, the Giants jumped at the opportunity to land one of the draft’s top wide receivers when he fell to them at the end of the second round. Especially after the loss of Mario Manningham during free agency, Randle should be able to step in immediately and make an impact for the Giants’ passing attack. Don’t be surprised to see Randle make the rest of the NFL regret passing on throughout the 2012 regular season.

4. South Carolina OLB Melvin Ingram: San Diego Chargers, No. 18

For years, the Chargers have been searching fruitlessly for an outside linebacker who can compliment Shaun Phillips and put some consistent pressure on the opposing quarterback. Back in 2009, they thought it would be Larry English, but that never panned out. So when Ingram fell into their laps at No. 18, there was no way that they were going to let the opportunity pass them by. Ingram should step in from Day 1 and find himself in opposing backfields more often than not.

3. Georgia G/OT Cordy Glenn: Buffalo Bills, No. 41

Easily considered a first-round talent, it was a bit surprising to see Glenn start to slide down the board as Day 2 wore on. So when the Bills were finally on the clock and nabbed the former Georgia Bulldog, you knew that Buffalo had gotten something special. More than anything, Glenn will bring tenacity and toughness to the Bills’ offensive line while delivering the versatility to play at four positions. He might not be Matt Kalil, but Glenn is a terrific addition to their offensive line nonetheless.

2. Alabama OLB Courtney Upshaw: Baltimore Ravens, No. 35

Heading into the draft, Upshaw was given several first-round grades. Instead, the Ravens watched him fall right into their laps at the beginning of the second round. A terrific pass-rusher with elite speed and strength, Upshaw should be able to fill in for Terrell Suggs, who recently fell to a torn Achilles that could keep him out for the entire 2012 campaign. He’s a potential-laden prospect who should thrive under the tutelage of Ray Lewis in Baltimore.

1. Mississippi State DT Fletcher Cox: Philadelphia Eagles, No. 12

Once the Eagles realized that Cox was slipping out of the Top 10, they knew what they had to do to land one of the top talents in the 2012 draft class. So when they traded up to nab Cox at No. 12, the Eagles knew what they were getting and were happy to give up whatever was necessary to get it. Cox will immediately provide the Eagles with a dominant force at the three-technique who can clog run lanes and pressure the passer. With one pick, the Eagles defensive line upgraded tremendously.

Top Prospects Available at Start of Day 2

Gil Alcaraz IV — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 22:12:21 +0000

Thirty-two picks later and the second day of the 2012 NFL Draft is upon us. It was an exciting first day of the draft filled with trades and queues of picks that quickly piled up in the commissioner’s pocket.

Although there were several interesting selections, most of the picks made were the right ones as each team continued building towards a better 2012 season.

Now, the second day is finally ready to begin and there’s still plenty of talent still available. So let’s take a look at some of the top prospects still available on my big board and what they will bring to the lucky team that gets to call their name on draft day.

Cordy Glenn, Offensive Tackle, Georgia

After spending his first three seasons as a guard, Glenn moved over to the left tackle spot his senior year and proved that he’s capable of holding down the position. Using his overwhelming strength and surprising athleticism, Glenn dominates opponents with his power at the point of attack. The biggest problem is Glenn’s inconsistency and ability to motivate himself. Still, Glenn has the physical tools to be a starter in the NFL if he can get the proper coaching.

Devon Still, Defensive Tackle, Penn State

A big, powerful defensive tackle with the ability to collapse the middle of an offensive line, Still has the potential to be a dominant defensive line anchor. Combining terrific size with plenty of athleticism, Still has a knack for being a huge disruption in the run game. He struggles with consistency and takes some plays off, but still has plenty of room for improvement. There’s plenty of upside with Still, but there’s also a strong chance for him to become a bust.

Stephen Hill, Wide Receiver, Georgia Tech

Considered one of the best vertical threats in the year’s draft class, Hill has the homerun ability that several NFL teams so desperately need. Although raw and unpolished as a receiver, Hill has the physical tools and traits to make it as an NFL wide receiver. Despite spending his college career in a triple-option offense, Hill displayed potential as a deep threat who can stretch the field and open the middle for slots receivers to work. It might be a risky pick, but Hill should be worth the price of admission.

Coby Fleener, Tight End, Stanford

This year’s top tight end prospect, Fleener has phenomenal potential as a field-stretching target who can immediately upgrade an NFL passing attack. He can make defenders miss after the catch and is great at tracking the ball in the air. Fleener is extremely unpolished as a blocker and will need to work on his technique, but has the size and strength to develop into a consistent blocker. With the tight end becoming a huge x-factor in NFL passing games, Fleener won’t be on the board for long.

Courtney Upshaw, Outside Linebacker, Alabama

A relentless, high-motor player with the emotional leadership to accompany it, Upshaw has the physical talents to be an effective NFL outside linebacker. Although several questions have emerged regarding his short arms, stiff hips and lack of book smarts, Upshaw’s instincts and production on the football field give plenty of reason to believe he can make it at the next level. There’s a good chance that whoever gets him in the next day will be getting a huge steal.

Others worth watching:

Jonathan Martin, Offensive Tackle, Stanford
Janoris Jenkins, Cornerback, North Alabama
Rueben Randle, Wide Receiver, LSU
Andre Branch, Defensive End, Clemson
Jerel Worthy, Defensive Tackle, Michigan State

Burfict, Hosley failed drug tests at Combine

Gil Alcaraz IV — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 21:16:49 +0000

As if Arizona State linebacker Vontaze Burfict needed more negative notes to add to his résumé as a potential undrafted NFL prospect.

According to Jay Glazer, NFL teams were informed this week that both Burfict and Virginia Tech cornerback Jayron Hosley tested positive for banned substances at February’s NFL Scouting Combine.

Considering that Burfict’s first-round value has plummeted all the way down to undrafted territory, this report only continues to worsen his chances of ever making it in the NFL. With numerous concerns, including his drive to get better and inability to control his temper on the field, a positive drug test could be what seals his fate as the biggest waste of potential in this year’s draft.

As for Hosley, the drug test isn’t as much of a deal breaker. It could however, take him down from a Day 2 prospect to a Day 3 prospect. More than anything, it will raise questions about his character and dedication.

According to Pro Football Talk, there are three other players who tested positive at the Combine whose names have yet to be publicly released.

With a chance at playing in the NFL on the line, an inability to abstain from drugs definitely raises some red flags. As if Burfict didn’t already have enough red flags scaring away potential suitors…