PA Season Ticket Holder
04-24-2003, 12:49 PM
Here's ESPN.com top 75 names to watch in the NFL Draft, in terms of athleticism and potential (order isn't necessarily how they will come off the board):
1. CB Terence Newman, Kansas State, 5-feet-10 3/8, 189: Tough-minded and competitive, doesn't back down and won't shy away when asked to prove himself, like in postseason workouts. Terrific athlete with makeup speed, burst to the ball and nice hip turn that allows him to easily run deep. Comes up a tad vertically challenged, but no one seems to mind very much.
2. DT Dewayne Robertson, Kentucky, 6-feet-1 3/8, 317: Has skyrocketed up draft boards last two months, and should be first defensive linemen chosen. Wide, squat body but very strong and deceptively quick through the gaps. When he's got his "A" game, very disruptive, can dominate. Not nearly as tall as most teams like and sometimes gets a bit too thick through the butt.
3. WR Charles Rogers, Michigan State, 6-feet-2 3/8, 202: Strong upper-body and knows how to beat initial jam. Always plays under control and, even when it looks like he's gliding, is going full tilt. Very polished and fluid receiver with great hands. Not as tall as advertised in media guide. A little brash at times. Hasn't worked as much on the intermediate routes.
4. QB Carson Palmer, Southern California, 6-feet-5, 232: Mechanically solid for most part, sets his feet and naturally squares shoulders before he throws, can deliver ball into the deep seams and on the deep "out" pattern. Can be very streaky and, when he's struggling, his body language advertises it. Not known for being mentally tough and is noted as a "reps" guy.
5. WR Andre Johnson, Miami, 6-feet-2, 230: Had just 40 catches in first two seasons of a three-year career, then averaged 21.6 yards per reception in '02. Plenty of speed, and an afterburner kick. Incredible physical specimen, great size, very rare combination of physical dimension and big-time playmaking skills. Hardly a natural receiver, will fight the ball into his hands at times.
6. QB Byron Leftwich, Marshall, 6-feet-5 3/8, 241: Large player with prototype pocket stature, will hang in and stand tall, wait until the last minute to deliver ball. Can throw all the passes, but arm isn't as strong as some people think, and will get some flutter on long ball. Suffered fractures of the left shin in two consecutive season and still has surgical rod in leg.
7. DE Terrell Suggs, Arizona State, 6-feet-3 3/8, 262: Monster pass-rusher who flies off the edge, flattens out at the quarterback, makes a ton of big plays. Unlike some speed-rushers, seems to have developed a few counter moves and inside spin techniques. His poor workouts dented the aura that surrounded him a little and but most teams still feel he's still a sack man.
8. OT Jordan Gross, Utah, 6-feet-4 1/2, 300: Footwork and use of his hands makes him the ideal left tackle and potential Pro Bowl candidate. Good mean streak and willingness to finish blocks. Athletic ability makes him a perfect fit in a passing offense. A little light in the backside and will have to add some bulk and hope that is doesn't sacrifice any of his quickness.
9. CB Marcus Trufant, Washington State, 5-feet-11 1/8, 199: Outstanding all-around athlete, onetime track and basketball performer has great agility, very smooth in transition. Linear speed doesn't always translate into top-end burst and is not as fluid as you'd like in his backpedal. Needs to improve the strength in hands and shoulders to redirect receivers with his initial jam.
10. DT Jimmy Kennedy, Penn State, 6-feet-4, 322: Prototype size and power for the position, can just neutralize the entire inside area, between the guard boxes. Strong enough to command a lot of double-team blocking and will be a solid two-gapper. At times in his career, has allowed weight to get out of control. Stamina and concentration were big concerns earlier in career.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfldraft/columnist?id=1543865
1. CB Terence Newman, Kansas State, 5-feet-10 3/8, 189: Tough-minded and competitive, doesn't back down and won't shy away when asked to prove himself, like in postseason workouts. Terrific athlete with makeup speed, burst to the ball and nice hip turn that allows him to easily run deep. Comes up a tad vertically challenged, but no one seems to mind very much.
2. DT Dewayne Robertson, Kentucky, 6-feet-1 3/8, 317: Has skyrocketed up draft boards last two months, and should be first defensive linemen chosen. Wide, squat body but very strong and deceptively quick through the gaps. When he's got his "A" game, very disruptive, can dominate. Not nearly as tall as most teams like and sometimes gets a bit too thick through the butt.
3. WR Charles Rogers, Michigan State, 6-feet-2 3/8, 202: Strong upper-body and knows how to beat initial jam. Always plays under control and, even when it looks like he's gliding, is going full tilt. Very polished and fluid receiver with great hands. Not as tall as advertised in media guide. A little brash at times. Hasn't worked as much on the intermediate routes.
4. QB Carson Palmer, Southern California, 6-feet-5, 232: Mechanically solid for most part, sets his feet and naturally squares shoulders before he throws, can deliver ball into the deep seams and on the deep "out" pattern. Can be very streaky and, when he's struggling, his body language advertises it. Not known for being mentally tough and is noted as a "reps" guy.
5. WR Andre Johnson, Miami, 6-feet-2, 230: Had just 40 catches in first two seasons of a three-year career, then averaged 21.6 yards per reception in '02. Plenty of speed, and an afterburner kick. Incredible physical specimen, great size, very rare combination of physical dimension and big-time playmaking skills. Hardly a natural receiver, will fight the ball into his hands at times.
6. QB Byron Leftwich, Marshall, 6-feet-5 3/8, 241: Large player with prototype pocket stature, will hang in and stand tall, wait until the last minute to deliver ball. Can throw all the passes, but arm isn't as strong as some people think, and will get some flutter on long ball. Suffered fractures of the left shin in two consecutive season and still has surgical rod in leg.
7. DE Terrell Suggs, Arizona State, 6-feet-3 3/8, 262: Monster pass-rusher who flies off the edge, flattens out at the quarterback, makes a ton of big plays. Unlike some speed-rushers, seems to have developed a few counter moves and inside spin techniques. His poor workouts dented the aura that surrounded him a little and but most teams still feel he's still a sack man.
8. OT Jordan Gross, Utah, 6-feet-4 1/2, 300: Footwork and use of his hands makes him the ideal left tackle and potential Pro Bowl candidate. Good mean streak and willingness to finish blocks. Athletic ability makes him a perfect fit in a passing offense. A little light in the backside and will have to add some bulk and hope that is doesn't sacrifice any of his quickness.
9. CB Marcus Trufant, Washington State, 5-feet-11 1/8, 199: Outstanding all-around athlete, onetime track and basketball performer has great agility, very smooth in transition. Linear speed doesn't always translate into top-end burst and is not as fluid as you'd like in his backpedal. Needs to improve the strength in hands and shoulders to redirect receivers with his initial jam.
10. DT Jimmy Kennedy, Penn State, 6-feet-4, 322: Prototype size and power for the position, can just neutralize the entire inside area, between the guard boxes. Strong enough to command a lot of double-team blocking and will be a solid two-gapper. At times in his career, has allowed weight to get out of control. Stamina and concentration were big concerns earlier in career.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfldraft/columnist?id=1543865