DRAFT TRACKER 2010

Edds has been a productive three year starter for the Hawkeye defense. He wins with intelligence, toughness, instincts and technique rather than elite athleticism. Edds has decent range in pursuit and is aggressive to the pile. He is effective leveraging tight ends but needs added strength and power to set the edge versus larger offensive lineman. Edds needs to react quicker as route progressions unfold but has enough athleticism and instincts to be an effective zone coverage defender. He may be a liability in man schemes versus athletic tight ends and backs. Edds is a reliable open field tackler but not explosive on contact. Edds is a good football player that will likely contribute on special teams as well as giving valuable depth in his rookie season.

A full-time starter for only one season in the Bulldogs' defense, Jefferson has good size and athleticism for the position but lacks technique. He runs well and shows good range in both pass coverage and run support but is inconsistent reacting quickly as plays unfold. He is better as a funnel defender in Cover 2 or press-man schemes, where he can use his length to gain an advantage on receivers. Can be inconsistent with his foot work in his pedal, which hinders his transition to close to the ball. He isn't always confident in off-man coverages, giving too much cushion which makes it tough for him to make plays on the ball. His balls skills are marginal and will need to improve to be a consistent contributor at the next level. Jefferson is a willing run-support player but needs to be more physical at the next level. He is a solid return specialist and can contribute in that way while developing his secondary skills.

Hernandez is a slightly undersized tight end that will best fit schemes that use an H-back as well as the traditional tight end. He is athletic and shows good downfield speed when running vertical routes and does a good job of adjusting to balls when thrown slightly off target. He has natural hand-eye coordination and consistently reaches out to pluck the ball. He can struggle when physical linebackers line up over him to hinder his release and is more effective when lined up off the line of scrimmage. He is not a very strong or physical blocker in line and takes questionable angles when blocking at the second level.

Pettrey has good size and athleticism for the position. He had another solid season but has never been outstanding throughout his career. Pettrey has a live leg and handles both field goals and kickoffs with relative consistency while showing range from 50-plus yards. He will make a solid attempt at an open field tackle as needed and is a competitive player. He has split the placekicking duties throughout his time with the Buckeyes which has hindered his overall production. Likely a late-round draft choice depending on his showing at the combine.

Ulatoski has excellent length and long arms but is lacking some in bulk and needs to develop more strength and power. He is not a natural knee bender and will let his weight get too far forward at times as he lunges after blocks. Once he gets his hands on opponents he can control and steer them on by the pocket but he does not have real quick hands and can struggle to re-fit when opponents shed his block. He is a hard worker and will show effort to finish blocks off but is not a real nasty blocker on a consistent basis. He has adequate lateral range in pass protection but will struggle to recover and right himself when pass rushers comes back inside on him.

Tracy was very productive over the last two seasons at William & Mary, recording more than 20 sacks. A bit of 'tweener, size wise, he will have make the transition to outside linebacker at the next level. He is a heady player who does his homework and consistently makes the right reads and flows to the ball. His non-stop motor makes up for his less-than-elite measurables, but his lack of burst will limit his ability to get to the quarterback in the NFL. Plays a little high and will get blown out of the play too often. Needs to refine hand placement and technique against bigger and more athletic players. Tracy is a coach's dream as far as effort and preparation are concerned, but his physical limitations make a him a late-round or free-agent prospect.

Owusu-Ansah is an outstanding player at the division II level that will need to make the transition to the talent in the NFL. He is an athletic defender that can play as a rolled up corner in cover two or possible a safety in the box. Owusu-Ansah has excellent instincts and ball skills to maintain leverage as a run defender as well as making plays in the passing game. He is as solid rap tackler and can contribute on coverage units (special teams) as well as being an excellent return specialist at this level. Owusu-Ansah is a prospect that may take a year or two to make the jump to the next level but has the raw athleticism, attitude and measurables to develop into a solid NFL player.

Woods is a one-year starter with good size and strength. He lacks great initial quickness, speed and range as a defender but can be effective between the tackles when he plays with good pad level. He has strong hands when he utilizes them to jolt and restrict interior running lanes. He can be an effective bull rusher to push the pocket but needs to expand his pass-rush package with more counter moves. Woods has the size, strength and enough athleticism to be an effective run defender at the next level, but there are concerns about his ability to transition to the next level. His work ethic, technique, effort and durability likely will hinder his draft status in 2010.

McClellan is a good athlete who runs well but does not have the size to play defensive end at the next level. He is explosive at times and has the top-end speed to chase down ballcarriers from the back side. Locates the ball quickly, gets his hands inside blockers' pads and sheds effectively to fill running lanes. Lacks the lower-body strength to hold up at the point of attack against bigger and stronger offensive lineman. Stands up too tall, losing leverage, and does not always get his feet underneath his pads, which causes him to get blown out of plays at times. There are serious concerns about his durability, since he tore his left ACL in 2007 and missed time in 2009 with an ankle injury. McClellan lacks the strength and physicality needed at the next level and is a free-agent prospect.

Mullins was in the rotation along the Carolina defensive line but never really was a full-time starter. He has good size with decent quickness, balance and lateral agility. He only flashes as an effective pass rusher but appears to have enough athleticism to improve in this area. He can penetrate gaps with good initial quickness, especially when in a stunting mode. He has active hands but is inconsistent to utilize them to shed vs. the run or counter as a pass rusher. He should be more powerful for his size and gives too much ground as an interior defender. Mullins has the raw talent to develop into a solid contributor at the next level but technique, strength and inconsistent effort are concerns.

A fifth-year senior, Carrington put two excellent seasons together to cap his career with the Arkansas State defense. He has a good combination of size, strength and speed for an interior defensive lineman. He doesn't have great lateral quickness or agility to come off the edge as a 4-3 end but is well suited for a five-technique in 3-4 scheme. He is best at the point of attack, anchoring versus the run, and is effective pushing the pocket as a bull rusher. He has a decent feel for blocking schemes and restricting running lanes when using proper pad level and hand use. Carrington is inconsistent to shed blockers and get to the pile but has the natural arm strength and power to improve in this area. He is a good tackler in a restricted area but lacks great burst and range out of the tackle box. Carrington has the measurables and raw talent to vie for a starting position after his second or third season in the league.

Parsons is a decent-sized lineman with good initial quickness and agility. There are a lot of things about him that are above-average-to-adequate, but there is nothing that really jumps off the screen at you. He can be overpowered by bigger interior linemen, and he lacks the haunch power to hunker down and stop the bull rush. He is more of a finesse blocker than a heavy hitter who can jar opponents back to their heels, and he will need to fit with a team that does a lot of zone blocking and does not require its linemen to overpower opponents for the run game.

Arnett is a good-sized WR who shows better than average speed at this level but likely will meet his match at the next level. He plays the game with speed but lacks the top-end gear to simply run away from defenders and will struggle with deep routes in the NFL. He is inconsistent with his route work and will telegraph a lot of his moves. He can beat the press at the line of scrimmage, but the separation he manages to get at the top of his stem often disappears quickly. While he is not the type teams are looking for in a No. 1 or 2 receiver, he will have a chance to help a team from the bottom up.

Verner is an excellent athlete that possesses the speed, quickness and agility to be an effective perimeter defender. He uses his hands well to re-route his opponent as well as having the burst and body control to maintain leverage in pure man schemes. Verner is an instinctive player that anticipates well to make plays on the ball. He is an effective blitzer off the edge but isn’t always physical as a tackler. He needs to continue to improve his overall technique to maximize his talent at the next level. Verner is a good football player that has the tools, attitude and instincts to be a solid contributor as a rookie both in the secondary as well as on special teams.

Spievey is a two year starter for the Hawkeyes after transferring from Iowa Central Community college. He has a good combination of size and athleticism for the position. Spievey doesn’t have great power and pop as a run support defender but gives consistent effort and is solid in the open field. Spievey is just average as a reactor to route progressions and has some work to do in this phase of his game. He does have a good feel for leverage in the running game and is quick to squeeze running lanes from the perimeter. Spievey shows good hands with the ball in the air and is aggressive to make a play in traffic. Spievey is a good football player that has a higher ceiling than many prospects but may take some time to work into a starting role.

Dixon is a good-sized running back with marginal speed and acceleration through the hole. He fights for yards but needs to do a better job of running with a low pad level, especially inside. He takes too many solid shots to survive, long term, at the next level and lacks the power and bulk to run through tackles like he did in college. He will need a lot of work on pass blocking at the next level and often shows questionable ability to read blocks and anticipate holes opening up. There is enough to Dixon to make you think he may come off the board in the later rounds.

Roberts is a dominating receiver at this level of football and has enough of the measurables to make you think he can make the transition to the next level. He is explosive off the line and shows good straight line speed yet still can drop his hips and come out of his cuts crisply and with a burst to separate from defenders. He has natural hand placement and a wide receiving radius to make catches when the ball is slightly off target. He is elusive once the ball is in his hands and has enough speed to be a threat to take it all the way. He will need a lot of work on reading more complicated coverage schemes and will have to learn how to beat the press against the NFL’s top corners.

After three years of inconsistency and off-the-field issues, Quarless finished off his senior year with 41 receptions and an excellent Bowl game against LSU where he caught a team-high eight passes. Quarless had two issues with underage drinking, one in 2008 where he was charged for DUI and one in 2007. He is a good sized TE with athleticism and body control going for him but needs to learn to take care of business in the offseason if he wants to impress coaches at the next level. He does not block as strong as someone his size should and is not very aggressive when blocking in line.

Davis is a prototypical left tackle in that he is a good foot athlete and has bulk as well as long arms that allow him to get a fit and control opponents as he steers them on by the pocket. He is not a natural knee bender and will let his pads get too far forward as he extends to sustain his blocks. He can slide and shuffle with an edge rusher and has the body control and foot agility to react and adjust to counter moves. He has shown a tendency to gain too much weight and will need to be monitored. He has strong hands and upper body and can swallow opponents up on the run block but does not finish his blocks off as much as he could. He will need some time to develop but could end up as a starting left tackle in a couple of years.

Dixon is a big, powerful back that runs with a good pad level and does a good job of keeping his feet alive to gain yards after contact. He lacks the speed to be a threat out wide or to take many all the way once he gets to the second level but he will move the chains and sustain drives. He can be a bit inconsistent when it comes to blocking but has the ability to deliver a good blow when he wants to. He will likely initially be a short yardage or red zone back that specializes in gaining the tough yards.

McCoy is a good looking tight end that does not quite play up to his numbers. He presents an excellent target and will go across the middle and catch the ball in traffic but lacks the explosive first step out of his breaks to separate from defenders on a consistent basis. He rarely beats the offensive line off the ball and looks almost casual on his release, which could end up being an issue at the next level. McCoy is not an easy take-down once the ball is in his hands, but is also not the most elusive runner in the open field.

Brown is an extremely productive receiver from a relatively smaller level football program that could use another year in college to continue to develop physically. He is undersized and will initially struggle with the physical aspects of the game at the next level. He generally has lined up out of the slot and would have trouble with his release against some of the physical cornerbacks at the next level if he lines up on the line of scrimmage. He is explosive off the line and will show a good burst out of his speed cuts but needs work on his hard cuts and underneath routes. He has decent hands but it looks like the ball gets big on him at times and he traps too many passes in his body.

Coleman has been an impact player for Auburn coming off the edge. He is a tough competitive defender that doesn’t have the size to be effective consistently against the run. Coleman is a projection to outside linebacker and is best suited for a 3-4 defensive scheme. He will need lots of technique work in coverage and may not have the speed and quickness to be effective in man to man schemes. Coleman’s strong suit is coming off the edge as a pass rusher as well as penetrating into the backfield to disrupt the running game. Coleman is a bit of an overachiever that is successful with effort, technique and instincts.

Edwards is a four-year starter that led his team to two national titles as well as a playoff run in the other two seasons. He is an undersized quarterback that will need to be projected to another position to take advantage of his speed, quickness and athleticism. He has had some durability issues and will need to bulk up if he wants to play at the next level. He is explosive and can force defenders to grab nothing but air with his elusiveness and cutting ability. He will require some time to learn how to run routes and to control his speed so he can give defenders different looks as he runs his routes.

Benn is a big receiver with above average speed that can be equally effective catching the ball underneath and in traffic or on the deep seam routes. He has good ball skills as well as leaping ability which allows him to go up and high point his catches when in traffic. He will struggle to track and adjust to deep balls that are thrown off target. He is a little stiff in his hips and tends to telegraph his cuts to defenders but shows a good burst coming out of his break. He needs to refine his route running and setting defenders up but has enough talent to be a threat as a team’s second receiver.

Moats was a productive two-year starter for the James Madison defense. He is a short, compact defensive end who will have to project to outside linebacker at the next level. Moats is a high-motor defender who brings leadership and toughness to a club. He utilizes strong hands and long arms to control defenders and set the edge. He runs well and flashes range in pursuit but can be inconsistent with angles to leverage the ball. Moats is an instinctive pass rusher who shows a variety of moves and counters to beat less-athletic blockers. He has enough athleticism to be effective in zone coverage but lacks lateral agility and burst in man coverage schemes. Moats was extremely active in his role with the James Madison defense, but transitioning to a stand-up position in the NFL will be a challenge.

Lane was a four-year starter for the Racers. He has good size and strength for the position but lacks great range and quickness. He makes more plays with effort and persistence than athleticism. He doesn't have great speed to close to the ball and lacks good flexibility to bend down the line of scrimmage. Lane leverages the ball well with good hand use and proper technique. He needs to expand his pass-rush package with more counters off his initial power move. Lane played best against lower-level competition and was somewhat held at bay when stepping up against better competition.

Church has been an outstanding safety for the Rockets over his four seasons. He has an excellent combination of size and strength for the position. Church is best coming downhill attacking the line of scrimmage. He is a tough, competitive player that is better closer to the line of scrimmage. He has good vision to leverage the ball and excels at filling the alley, as well as reacting to patterns in the passing game. He lacks great range, speed and lateral agility in coverage and this could limit his effectiveness at the next level. Church has the physical stature, toughness and instincts to be an impact player on coverage units (special teams) with a chance to work into a starting safety position.

Tate is a hard-nosed runner that does not spend much time dancing around in the backfield. He likes to stick his foot in the ground and hit the hole at the first sign of a running lane opening up. He is a downhill runner that will veer off course as he gets through the hole but is not going to make a lot of people miss once he gets through the hole unless he can just outrun them. He had been considered a bit of an underachiever in the past but came through with a big senior season to raise his status going into this draft.

White is a good sized receiver with excellent receiving skills but marginal down-field speed as well as acceleration out of his cuts and will struggle to get much of any kind of separation at the next level. He knows how to read coverages and does a good job of finding seams in zone coverage to get open. He has strong, sure hands but will let the ball get into his body too often, especially on slants and short curl routes. He is a high effort type who will contribute on special teams if he makes a team and can be a tough tackle once he gets the ball in his hands.

Lee has been a highly productive linebacker as a three-year starter for the Trojans. He has decent size, and is quicker than fast. He is effective defending the run as well as in coverage at the collegiate level. Lee leverages the ball well and is instinctive reacting quickly as plays unfold. He has a knack of hitting a crease and closing to the ball when attacking the run but needs to improve his pass rush package when in a blitz mode. Lee is a solid tackler in the open field and shows decent pop and power on contact. Lee is a good football player that has some limitations at the next level but should contribute as a backup linebacker as well as on special teams.

Banks is an undersized receiver who has exceptional straight-line speed and acceleration but is not all that elusive when running in traffic. He is more of a one-cut-and-go type of runner once he gets the ball in his hands. He will need a lot of work on his route-running skills as well as setting defenders up for his cuts, but there is no question he has the speed and acceleration to scare secondaries down the seam. He is brave when going up for the ball, as well as when running, but he simply lacks the size and strength to break tackles or overpower defenders to the ball. Character could be a concern for some teams, as well.

Carter is a three-year starter at guard for the Red Raiders and has played a lot of football over the years. He will show some nastiness in his blocks but sometimes lets it get personal and has been known to get flagged for penalties at inopportune times. He is a mauler and a brawler as a blocker that can smother opponents once he gets his hands on them but will struggle when reacting to movement or when in space. Carter is probably too limited, athletically, to be a top line starter in the NFL but could find a niche as a backup that could start in a pinch.

Deaderick was a productive three-year starter for the Alabama defense. He has good size and strength with just average athleticism for the position. He doesn't have great initial quickness and struggles some to change directions in space. He flashes a powerful punch to control blockers and is an instinctive player as blocking schemes unfold. He is a quick reactor and feels pad pressure well to restrict running lanes. He is a solid tackler in a confined area but again can be inconsistent in space. Deaderick is a solid defender who has the tools to contribute as a backup in his rookie season and eventually could push for a starting position.

Ghee has good size and excellent speed for the position. He has the quickness and burst to be a solid coverage defender but lacks the foot agility, pad level and body positioning to be consistent in this area. Ghee has long arms and flashes the ability to jam and re-route receivers off the line of scrimmage but lets receivers get too much separation downfield too often. He is a willing run support defender but isn’t physical enough to make plays on larger ball carriers and receivers. Ghee needs to be more physical warding off blockers as well as wrapping up when tackling. Ghee has been a durable productive cornerback that has the size and athleticism to be a contributor at the next level but isn’t talented enough to impact a club as a rookie.

Brandon is a short thickly-built player with good athleticism. He has very good initial quickness as an edge rusher but doesn't have elite speed or range in pursuit. Brandon uses his hands well to control and leverage blockers versus the run as well as to counter as a pass rusher. Graham is the Wolverines' most disruptive defender and plays with a high motor. He doesn't have enough burst and lateral agility to excel as a stand up player in the NFL but may be effective in zone blitz schemes in limited coverage responsibilities. Brandon is a good football player who should be productive at the next level in the right defensive scheme.

James was a combination running back/wide receiver/return specialist at Florida but projects to have the largest impact as a return specialist at the next level. He possesses rare speed and acceleration and shows excellent vision and judgment when it comes to tracking the ball, settling under it and returning kicks and punts. He just needs a small crack to break some big ones and can be patient as he lets his blocking develop. He has excellent body control and elusiveness in the open field and can stop and start on a dime. He is the kind of return specialist that can give a team good field position on a consistent basis.

LaFell is a big receiver that has a huge upside but still needs to refine his game if he wants to excel at the next level. He has adequate speed for the position but with his size and stride length he can sneak up on and run by a lot of defenders. He has soft, natural hands but will drop some balls due to lapses of concentration. He is competitive to the ball over the middle and in traffic and can use his size and leaping ability to high point the ball over the top of defenders. While he will initially have a bigger impact with the short passing game against zone coverage he has enough going for him to eventually become an effective downfield target.

Lang had two very productive years after coming of a season-ending injury in 2007. He is another player that will be a projection to outside linebacker at the next level. Lang was a strong, athletic, tough end in the Trojans' 4-3 front that is best attacking the line of scrimmage. He runs well for his size but lacks elite lateral agility and range in coverage. Lang could be effective in short zone drops but is likely a liability in man coverage schemes. He uses his hands well and is an instinctive player but needs to improve his initial reads to maintain leverage in both the run game as well as defending the pass. Lang is a good football player that is a bit of a tweener (size and athleticism) and in the mode of a "poor man's" Demarcus Ware. Lang will contribute on special teams, while developing his overall game. He will likely blossom in his second and third seasons in the league.

Minor was a part-time starter for the past two seasons at Michigan. He has shown the ability to be productive when healthy but has missed a lot of time over the past two years. He does a good job of running behind his pads and will stick his foot in the ground and head up into the hole with a lot of authority, but he does not make many people miss once he gets to the second level. He is a good blocker when asked to stay in for pass protection but is not very effective as a receiver out of the backfield. He has a chance as a backup who could develop into an adequate situational player, but he lacks the tools to be a front-line ball carrier.

Spikes is a big, strong physical defender that missed some time in 2009 after being suspended for a game due to an on the field incident early in the season. Spikes is best attacking the line of scrimmage and is a solid tackler in the open field. He uses his hands well to ward off blockers and leverage the ball and understands angles and run fits in the Gators defense. He is an instinctive player that is best versus the run but appears to have limitations in coverage. Spikes is quicker than fast and reacts quickly as plays develop but will need lots of technique work (especially defending the pass) at the next level. Spikes has excellent blood lines and is a good football player that brings attitude and leadership to the linebacker position.

Bowden has good size and athleticism for the position. He had his most productive season in 2009, averaging 43.8 yards per attempt and showing excellent ability to drop the ball inside the 20-yard line. Bowden is a self made punter that had to sit for a couple of seasons before securing the starting position. His mechanics are solid but he needs to continue to improve his overall consistency at the next level. Bowden has the tools to develop into a solid punter in the league but doesn’t have elite talent to be an impact player as a punter.

Swenson is a small athletic kicker with above average leg strength. He is coming off the best season of his collegiate career hitting on 86 percent of his attempts. Swenson doesn’t possess a powerful leg on kickoffs but has range up to 50 yards. His lack of consistent mechanics is a concern but something that can be corrected. Coming off an impressive senior season makes him a draftable prospect in 2010.

Jackson has an excellent combination of size, strength and athleticism. He doesn’t have great speed or quickness but can leverage receivers with proper body positioning, instincts and size. Jackson is a solid reactor as a run support defender and can be physical on the perimeter. He can be effective in combination zone coverages, but may be a liability in pure man schemes and will likely excel as a rolled up corner in cover two schemes. Jackson could possibly move inside to a safety position given his size and toughness. Jackson does have some limitations but is a good football player that will give depth to a secondary at the next level as well as on special teams.