If you'll remember, I gave you some off-season battles to watch about a month ago. Well, in that time we've seen the Combine and plenty of Pro Day workouts, so it's time to revisit those battles and see who's on top!
Quarterback
JaMarcus Russell vs. Brady Quinn
Neither helped themselves by not working out at the Combine. Quinn's Pro Day was "good, not great," which of course really means "he was average." All Quinn has proved so far is that he is very adept at the bench press - something that should have a minimal-at-best impact on his draft stock. For his part, JaMarcus has lost some weight since coming in a bit too hefty at the Combine. He's still the #1 QB on every GM's board, in my opinion.
Troy Smith vs. Drew Stanton vs. Kevin Kolb
Hey, the further we get from Stanton's awful 2006 season, the more his stock improves! He came in with great measurables at the Combine, and while he hasn't been lights-out in workouts, he's been good enough to give him a clear lead in the battle for #3 QB off the board. The loser here is Troy Smith, who looked very shaky in throwing drills and was unimpressive in running ones (4.70+ 40 time).
Running Back
Adrian Peterson vs. Marshawn Lynch
We're still a month from the draft, but we can pretty much wrap this "battle" up. Peterson has been dynamite this off-season, and while Lynch hasn't been bad, the two are just in different worlds in terms of draft stock.
Michael Bush vs. Kenny Irons vs. the field
Irons has been good-not-great, Bush has been....let's move on. But Ohio State's Antonio Pittman looks very impressive, as does Nebraska's Brandon Jackson. While it's not clear who of the group is actually leading the race to be the #3 back off the board, right now I'd put my money on someone other than Bush or Irons.
Wide Receiver
Dwayne Jarrett vs. Ted Ginn vs. Robert Meachem vs. Dwayne Bowe vs. Sidney Rice
This is tricky. Ginn hasn't worked out at all thus far, and we're getting to the stage where his foot injury is going to start affecting his draft stock. Ditto for Jarrett, except he's not hurt, he's just slow. Bowe was disappointing at the Combine with a 4.50+ 40, and Rice hasn't delivered the "wow" factor that could bump him up to the mid first round. That leaves Meacham, who ran a sub-4.40 40 and has looked very good thus far. Right now, I'd still say Ginn is the #2 receiver off the board, and Meachem and Bowe are battling for the 3rd spot - but of all these guys, Meachem has done the most to improve his stock this off-season.
Tight End
Zach Miller vs. Greg Olsen
In boxing terms, this was a first-round knockout. A first-punch knockout, even. Olsen was unbelievable at the Combine, running faster than many of the receivers and looking dynamite in drills. Meanwhile, Miller ran in the 4.8's, which is slower than a few linemen. The two have similar size and similar production in college - so this off-season was crucial for both. As such, Olsen is now a potential top-15 pick, while Miller is second round at best.
Offensive Line
#3 offensive tackle: everybody vs. everybody (Joe Staley)
Central Michigan's Joe Staley has emerged from the group to take the lead in the race for #3 tackle. His 4.75 40 was the best of any lineman (and better than certain tight ends), and he's shown athleticism that's second only to Joe Thomas in this year's class. He might be the only tackle other than Thomas capable of playing left tackle at a high level in the NFL, too. Reminds me of Eric Winston from last year's draft (though Winston slipped to the early third round).
Defensive Line
Jamaal Anderson vs. Gaines Adams
This one's still close, but Adams has been more impressive this off-season, and probably has the edge on most teams' draft boards. Adams ran the best 40 of all lineman, timing in at 4.64.
Jarvis Moss vs. Quentin Moses vs. LaMarr Woodley vs. Victor Abiamiri vs. Charles Johnson vs. Anthony Spencer
Real tough to call here, though I'd say Moss, Johnson, and Spencer are the three who have a legitimate chance to be first round picks. I'll give the edge to Moss, whose size and speed (around 4.70) means he could make a transition to 3-4 OLB if need be.
Quinn Pitcock vs. Tank Tyler vs. Justin Harrell
This is pretty much a wash at this point, and it's looking like all these guys have a reasonable chance of being late first/early second round picks. But, given Amobi Okoy's fantastic off-season, I think he's quietly passed Alan Branch as the top DT on a few draft boards.
Linebacker
Paul Posluszny vs. Lawrence Timmons
Turns out that Timmons was a paper tiger, as he was thoroughly unimpressive at the Combine. Considering Posluszny's leadership and production in college, and solid performance at the Combine, he looks like a better prospect at this point.
Buster Davis vs. Brandon Siler vs. H.B. Blades vs. Jon Abbate vs. David Harris
An impressive 4.59 40 at the Combine has Harris as the most likely candidate to get into the late first round, while the rest of the guys look more like 2nd-3rd round picks.
Cornerback
Leon Hall vs. Darrelle Revis vs. Marcus McCauley
Did not see this one coming. Hall, who was billed as a non-elite athlete, surprised everyone with a blazing 4.39 40 at the Combine. Meanwhile, Revis and McCauley (who WERE billed as elite athletes), failed to impress. Revis has turned his stock around a bit with a good Pro Day, but Hall is solidified as the #1 CB in the class. And watch out for Arkansas' Chris Houston, who's 4.32 40 has him potentially ahead of both Revis and McCauley.
Safety
Michael Griffin vs. Eric Weddle vs. Brandon Meriweather
All ran in the 4.45-4.50 range at the Combine, so things are pretty much the way they were when we went into this off-season. Griffin is still the most likely to get into the late first round. |
