NFL scouts thought they knew these guys, and it turns out we think they got it right...If you've seen our College Eye for the NFL Guy profiles, you'll probably notice that we're quite argumentative in them. Well, we don't always think that NFL scouts are missing the boat. There are a number of Big Ten prospects that seem to be projected in just about the right position.
Whenever possible, I will note a player's projected spot in Todd McShay's seven-round (!) mock draft ($).
RONDELL BIGGS, DE, MICHIGAN
ESPN.com ($): "Uses hands well, shows good upper body strength and flashes an effective rip move. Stays active and is a relentless pass rusher. Flashes the ability to run through blockers in the backfield and is a powerful tackler that can knock the ball loose when gets to the quarterback...Doesn't have great top-end speed and isn't a sideline-to-sideline player. Isn't fast enough to turn the corner and doesn't close well...He lacks ideal speed and athleticism but Biggs possesses good size and strength versus the run. Biggs also gives a great effort and plays with solid technique."
Probably getting drafted: He's nothing flashy, and may not get drafted. But if that happens, Biggs should be one of the more highly-coveted "street" free agents available after the draft.
PRESCOTT BURGESS, LB, MICHIGAN
ESPN.com ($): "He takes solid angles in pursuit and has established himself as a reliable tackler. He has long arms and a powerful upper body. Does a good job of controlling blockers at the line of scrimmage. He's a fluid athlete for his size...He would rather run around blockers than take them on, which he won't get away with in the NFL. He will have limitations in terms of one-on-one coverage in the NFL...There are also concerns regarding his toughness and mental capacity. Burgess projects as a mid-Day 2 pick in 2007."
Probably getting drafted: McShay has Burgess being picked by Green Bay in the sixth round (193rd overall). I think he's potentially one of the more underrated players in this draft. He's somewhat limited athletically, but he has good size and length, and could be a very effective backup as a rookie.
TYLER ECKER, TE, MICHIGAN
ESPN.com ($): "Shows adequate balance, plays hard and flashes the ability to sustain blocks. Plays under control in space, shows good athletic ability and can adjust to the moving target at the second level. Has a wide frame, can shield defenders from the ball and has the potential to develop into a productive red zone target...Doesn't explode into blocks, doesn't roll hips into blocks and isn't going to knock many defenders back. Doesn't appear to read defenses well and has some problems locating soft spots when working against zone coverage...Ecker has enough of size and athletic ability to develop into a quality reserve tight end in a scheme that doesn't ask him to do a lot of in-line blocking. However, his upside is limited by his lack of speed and explosiveness."
Probably getting drafted: Ecker was a solid player at Michigan, but he will be a priority free agent after the draft. He just doesn't have the physical tools for his position to justify a selection.
BRANDON FIELDS, P, MICHIGAN STATE
ESPN.com ($): "Has excellent leg strength and range should improve if he can improve technique. Possesses adequate accuracy and flashes the ability to pin teams deep...Though gets good hang time on kicks at times, he is inconsistent in this area and needs to work on overall technique...Fields has the power to develop into an excellent NFL punter but he isn't fundamentally sound or consistent at this point."
Probably getting drafted: If Fields gets picked, it will be late. Like most kickers/punters, it's hard to project a spot for him, but he has the talent to be a seventh-round selection.
UCHE NWANERI, G, PURDUE
ESPN.com ($): "Plays with a mean streak, has above-average upper body strength and flashes the ability to knock defenders back. Though footwork is inconsistent, moves fairly well, can get around the center when asked to trap and is big enough to engulf linebackers...Footwork in pass protection is somewhat inconsistent and is vulnerable to effective double moves. Broke the jaw of teammate during an off-season workout in 2005, Purdue suspended him for the 2005 fall semester, unsuccessfully sued the university and there is some concern about ability to control emotions...Nwaneri could become a Day 2 steal. He has the size, athletic ability and tenacity to develop into an excellent backup."
Probably getting drafted: Nwaneri picked a bad year to enter the draft with character concerns. He has to show he can control himself on and off the field, and he'll have to do it as a late-round pick. McShay picks him to go 252nd overall to Jacksonville, which has him entering Mr. Irrelevant territory (there are 255 picks in the draft).
RODERICK ROGERS, S, WISCONSIN
ESPN.com ($): "Plays with a mean streak, times hits well and flashes the ability to deliver the big hit over the middle. Shows good closing speed and takes the shortest path to the ball. Is relentless and makes plays in pursuit. Blocked a kick last year, is a high-motor player that can cover kicks and should make early contributions on special teams...Gambles at times and is inconsistent. Though has adequate athletic ability, doesn't show great footwork and has some problems changing directions quickly. Knee injury in 2007 bowl game is a pressing concern."
Probably getting drafted: It's hard to say. Rogers has recovered from the knee injury he suffered in the Capital One Bowl, but his draft status depends on who you ask. His agent thinks he could go in the third round, or he could go undrafted. That's quite a disparity. I think some team will end up taking a flyer on Rogers somewhere around the sixth round.
DREW TATE, QB, IOWA
ESPN.com ($): "Reads defenses well, generally shows good poise under pressure and generally finds the open man given enough time. Possesses good lateral mobility, has good pocket presence and can buy second chances in the pocket. Is a leader on the field and has good overall intangibles...Lacks elite top-end speed, isn't elusive enough to make multiple defenders miss and isn't a very dangerous open field runner. Occasionally tries to make too much happen and needs to do a better job of taking what the defense gives him...Tate has the smarts, athletic ability and accuracy to develop into a decent No. 3 quarterback in a West Coast offense, but he has too many physical shortcomings to ever emerge as even a quality backup in the NFL."
Probably getting drafted: Tate will be fortunate if he is drafted, and it won't be until at least the sixth round. It looks like he is doomed to being an undrafted free agent.
PIERRE THOMAS, RB, ILLINOIS
ESPN.com ($): "Is at his best as a downhill runner that can make one cut and go. His versatility is one of his best attributes. He has soft hands and good instincts as a receiver. Shows good recognition skills when reading coverage and is able to consistently separate as a short-to-intermediate route runner. He has adequate size and strength as a blocker...Does not show an explosive second-gear to run away from defenders or the elusiveness to make defenders miss in space. He can still add bulk to his frame but must do so without slowing down. He haws been inconsistent as a runner. Does not show great vision at times and will occasionally miss open holes by being too late in recognizing them."
Probably getting drafted: It's possible that Thomas could sneak into the seventh round because of the overall weakness of this class of running backs. However, it's more likely that he'll end up being a free agent.
MATT TRANNON, WR/TE, MICHIGAN STATE
ESPN.com ($): "Shows good body control when tracking the ball and flashes the ability to catch the ball at its highest point. Explodes off the line and has the quick feet to avoid press coverage. Runs with good power, flashes the ability to make the first defender miss and can be productive after the catch...Doesn't read defenses well and has some problems locating soft spots working against zone coverage. Rounds off some cuts and is an inconsistent short-to-intermediate route-runner. Appears to lose focus on occasion and drops some passes that should catch. He has had durability problems throughout his career, as well...Trannon's best fit in the NFL will likely be as an H-back. However, his unique combination of size, athletic ability and power could make him a versatile contributor as a reserve in the NFL."
Probably getting drafted: Trannon's athleticism will make him worth picking in the seventh round. He needs to be more consistent in his focus at the next level, because he isn't good enough to make it in the NFL if he's not always giving a full effort.
