Big Ten NFL Draft Candidates
Big 10 Draft Candidates
Saturday, the annual NFL draft will begin with Miami selecting Jake Long from Michigan with the first choice. But where will the other Big 10 players go in the draft. Here is a look at those that are most likely to be drafted.
Quarterback
Chad Henne Michigan - Henne will be selected in the late first or early in the second round. According to the experts, most teams have him listed as the second or third QB in the draft.
Running Back
Rashard Mendenhall Illinois - Mendi is a horse and will last no later than Detroit at 15. He is faster than most expected and big enough to be the primary RB in a run-heavy offense.
Mike Hart Michigan - If they drafted on heart, Hart would be the first pick. A great kid that will give you everything he has. Unfortunately, he doesn't have enough athleticism to give. He is a great college back that will not translate well to the NFL. He is a little small, and too slow to be effective. While some mocks have him going in the mid 40's but he is more likely a 5th or 6th round choice.
Wide Receivers
Devin Thomas Michigan State - Thomas is a classic one year wonder. In 2007 he shined showing speed and hands. Prior to 2007 he had less than a dozen catches. He is still considered the top receiver in a lesser than average group. Good speed and size. He won't last past the 21st choice in the first round.
Mario Manningham Michigan - His stock has been up during the season, down a little after the OSU game, up again after the bowl and now has stabilized. He decided to come out because of the lack of a proven QB in 2008. He will be a 2nd round talent that could easily slip into the late first if there is a run on WR's. Has had some drops at critical times.
James Hardy Indiana - Hardy is big but not as fast as you would like (4.6/40). Good hands but will struggle to get open vs. man coverage. Good to very good ball skills. Hardy is battling Mario for the 3rd best WR rating. He will also be a early to mid second round choice. Never faced a critical play.
Adrian Arrington Michigan - I like this kid. He is 6-3 with reasonable speed and good hands. I think he will be a steal in the 5th or 6th round.
Paul Hubbard Wisconsin - He played on a run-first team early in his career. He has been estimated to be a 3rd to a 7th round choice. He benefits from being 6-4 and will go before Arrington in the middle of the 4th round. He disappears too often.
Tight Ends
Dustin Keller Purdue - Speed but not much blocking. Keller is generally considered the best TE in the draft. He will be a late first to middle second round choice. He won't last past Green Bay at the 56th choice.
Kellen Davis Michigan State - I like Davis. He is a much better blocker than Keller and more of a total TE. Because of his blend of speed and blocking he should be a mid 2nd round choice as well.
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Offensive Line
I have grouped the offensive line together because often a tackle at the college level will become a guard or center in the NFL. Also there just are not enough OL candidates in the league this year.
Jake Long Michigan - He was the first choice of the 2008 NFL Draft to Miami to play left tackle. I am not convinced he can be a left tackle and 80 million dollars with 30 million guaranteed is too much to spend on a right tackle.
Kirk Barton Ohio State - Kirk is the classic right tackle in college that may move inside in the NFL. He has great strength in run blocking but has trouble with quick DE and LB pass rushers. He will be drafted and his sub 5 second 40 yard dash makes him a good prospect for a pulling guard at the next level. He will be picked in the 5th or 6th round.
Defensive Line
Vernon Gholston Ohio State - Gholston can play end in a 4 - 3 or outside linebacker in a 3 - 4. With so many teams using a blend of both defenses, Gholston is very valuable because he can do both. I think St. Louis is looking at him at 2, but he will not be on the board after the Pats pick at 7.
Clif Avrill Purdue - He played DE in college but will most likely be a linebacker in the pros. He will most likely be a 2nd round pick. However, he has yet to prove he can make the transition.
Nick Hayden Wisconsin - A good all-around tackle that can stuff the run and is okay at the pass rush. He will be a 6th round pick.
Linebackers
Dan Connor Penn State - Ultimate warrior and throwback player in the best sense of both those labels. Great work ethic and production. He can play both inside and outside. He may not test as well as some but will play his butt off. He is a late 1st early 2nd round choice.
Shawn Crable Michigan - A producer at college that may not be as effective in the NFL. He is good against the run and an adequate pass rusher. He struggles in covering a running back or tight end in a pass pattern. He could be picked anywhere from the late 4th to the mid 6th round depending on which style of defense the team is playing.
Jeremy Leman Illinois - One of the top all-time tacklers in Illini history may be overlooked by the NFL. He was very productive in college but some mock drafts do not include him being drafted. I think he will be a mid 4th to mid 5th round choice and do fine in the pros.
Larry Grant Ohio State - Grant was off the draft radar until late in the 2007 season. He has good speed and athleticism and has made it up to the bottom of the draft boards of many teams. He will be a 7th round draft choice and make a final roster on special teams but with work can be a starter in the league.
Cornerbacks
Justin King Penn State - He has shot up the draft boards since 2007 season ended. He showed skill and is 6 feet tall. But then he ran a 4.31 at the combine and caught a lot of attention. He will be a mid 2nd to mid 3rd round choice and should do well. He is a little stiff in the hips but has the speed to close on the ball.
Tracy Porter Indiana - Depending who you believe, King and Porter are fighting for the 8th CB position in the draft. Porter is a good pass protector but struggles tackling. He also returns kicks. He will also be a mid 2nd to mid 3rd round choice.
Jack Ikegwuonu Wisconsin - An injury has prevented him from doing any testing and he has fallen as a result. He may not be ready for training camp in the fall. Going into the 2007 season, he was considered a 1st round talent. He now will fall to the 6th round.
Safety
Jamar Adams Michigan S - Adams was the forgotten man until he played well against Florida in the Capitol One Bowl. He will be a late 4th or early 5th choice.
Good luck to all the Big 10 candidates.
by Bill Smith
BigTen - fans.com Guest Writer
Bill Smith is a former coach of several semi - pro teams and has scouted talent. He is a senior writer for http://BrutusReport.com and has published several novels on http://ebooks - library.com/index.cfm
More articles from Smith on BigTen-fans.com:
More NFL Draft coverage from Smith at ProFootball-fans.com:
- 2008 NFL Mock Draft - 04.25.08
- The best values in each round of the NFL Draft
- The biggest bargains of the 2008 NFL Draft