Martez Wilson

Position: LB School: Illinois Height: 6’3 3/4" Weight: 250 lbs Class: RS-Junior 40 time: 4.46 All-Star Game: n/a Team Captain: No Draft Projection: Late 1st – Early 2nd Round

Summary

When Martez Wilson arrived at the scouting combine in February, people knew he was an athletic freak, but few people predicted the numbers he would put up. Wilson measured in at 6036 and 250 pounds – basically the perfect size for a linebacker. He also has freakishly long arms (34 5/8 inches) and ran a 4.46 40 yard dash, recorded a 36″ vertical jump and a 10″04″ broad jump. Finally, Wilsons’ 10-yard split was clocked in at 1.59 seconds. Sounds like a top 5 pick, right? Well, unfortunately, Wilson played out of position (MLB) in Illinois’ 4-3 defense – which didn’t showcase his athletic ability. I attribute Wilson’s biggest flaw (inconsistent playing speed) possibly Keep Reading…

So a few of the people I’ve talked to recently think that one of the reasons Cam Newton is the favorite for the #1 pick is because of the positional value of Quarterbacks. While I don’t agree with this methodology or see this as the reason he’s the favorite, it got me thinking about the order of importance for positions.

Everyone agrees quarterbacks are the most important position. What’s next? And is the order of importance displayed in recent draft history? Here’s how I saw it before I went to the numbers.

I’d rank the order of importance… 1. Quarterbacks 2. Tackles 3. Defensive Linemen/Outside Linebackers 4. Cornerbacks 5. Wide Receivers/Tight Ends 6. Running Backs 7. Inside Linebackers 8. Safeties 9. Offensive Guards/Centers 10. Kickers 11. Fullbacks 13. Punters

This is obviously up for debate, but that’s how I saw it. After quarterbacks, people generally talk about Keep Reading…

These are my first published rankings of the 2011 season. I don’t like to create any rankings too early in the process because everything ends up changing around up until about a month before the draft, which is exactly where we are now.

What’s different about these rankings from most others you have seen is that I separated my top 32 prospects into six different “tiers”. The tiers are markers of different talent levels. For example, if both Marcel Dareus and Julio Jones were left on the board, because Dareus is in the 2nd tier and Jones in the 3rd, I’d select Dareus every time. If I were submitting this to an NFL team as a scout, each player would have a numerical value assigned to them (Usually on a 5-8 scale). The only situation where I wouldn’t stay true to my board is if I had a star Keep Reading…

Jordan Todman

Position: RB School: Connecticut Height: 5’8 7/8" Weight: 203 lbs Class: Junior 40 time: 4.40 All-Star Game: None Team Captain: No Draft Projection: Third Round

Summary

In today’s NFL, most teams use running back’s in a rotational way since it’s so hard for just one guy to carry the load for an extended period of time. In a way, this makes backs like Todman very valuable to NFL Teams. Todman is a smaller, shifty back with elite vision and quickness. He’ll find success in the NFL by being a change of pace back with big play potential.

Inside Runner

As an inside runner, Todman isn’t the best. He needs to have more patience and wait for a hole to open before he runs into the backs of his blockers. He isn’t quite strong enough to break the arm tackles of bigger defensive lineman.

Keep Reading…

Jimmy Smith

Position: CB School: Colorado Height: 6’21/4" Weight: 211 lbs Class: Senior 40 time: 4.46 All-Star Game: None Team Captain: No Draft Projection: Top 20 Pick

Summary

Jimmy Smith probably has the best natural cover skills of any of the cornerbacks in this draft, yet for some reason some think he would make a better fit at safety. Smith is abnormally tall for a corner, but in today’s NFL that’s something a lot of teams look for, especially when they have fluid hips to match. Smith’s character has been questioned this offseason, which could ultimately push him down further than his talent would suggest.

Ball Skills

Smith didn’t get much of a chance to showcase his ball skills, especially his senior season when he was barely tested by opposing offenses. He did play WR in high school and showcased good hands at the combine. Keep Reading…