NFL Iowa Football

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.

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 ($).

JAY ALFORD, DT, PENN STATE

ESPN.com ($): "He displays a powerful upper body and does a good job of using his strong hands to control some bigger blockers and to disengage. Has developed a solid work ethic and is said to be very "coachable". He has good football intelligence and picks up on new things quickly...is undersized and must prove he can keep additional bulk on his frame. He's strictly a one-gap prospect that is unable to anchor at the point of attack when teams run at him. He will need to be on the move in order to be effective. He gets frustrated by the double team and will occasionally give up on plays if he can't split it initially...he is a quick and powerful one-gap penetrator with good athletic ability for the position. He's not a fit for many teams in the NFL but the ones that value mobility over size (see: Colts, Buccaneers, Vikings, Bears, etc.) should view Alford as a fourth or fifth round prospect."

Probably getting drafted: Alford, as noted above, projects as an early second-day pick. McShay has him selected in the fifth round by Tennessee (152nd overall). I see Alford as a prospect with somewhat limited upside. He could be a solid player, but he has to be in a system where he can be protected from becoming a liability against the run.

SCOTT CHANDLER, TE, IOWA

ESPN.com ($): "Very effective as a short-to-intermediate receiver. Shows good initial quickness for his size and possesses excellent mobility. Displays good instincts when working as an underneath receiver. His hands are reliable and he does a good job of using his body to shield defenders. Will make the tough catch in traffic...Does not display a mean streak and needs to become a more physical blocker. Lacks explosive power and fails to sustain his blocks at times. Shows toughness as a receiver going over the middle, but he's too much of a "finesse" blocker...he lacks ideal speed to consistently stretch the field at the next level. More concerning is the fact that Chandler lacks the strength and toughness to adequately match up as an in-line blocker in the NFL. Chandler grades out as a late-first day prospect in a weak 2007 class of tight ends."

Probably getting drafted: Chandler is a solid prospect, but I think he's a little bit more athletically limited than Minnesota's Matt Spaeth, and he's not as good a blocker. He's a big target with great hands, and he should go in the third round. McShay's draft has him lasting barely into the fourth round, where Miami takes him with the 108th pick.

TONY HUNT, RB, PENN STATE

ESPN.com ($): "Has excellent lower body strength, keeps legs driving and excels at picking up yards after initial contact. He is a tough, aggressive and competitive runner. Has shown good durability throughout his career...He does not display a second-gear to run away from defenders in the NFL and he will struggle to consistently turn the corner as an outside runner. Lacks ideal lateral mobility and doesn't show great elusiveness in the open field...In our opinion, Hunt has a chance to emerge as a decent starter in a power-run scheme at the next level, but it's more likely he levels off as a good backup. He had an excellent senior season, so his stock is on the rise. Expect Hunt to come off the board in the third round of a weak running back class in 2007."

Probably getting drafted: Hunt should go during the third round. McShay says he'll be picked 91st overall by New England, which would be a good fit for him. It's just not a strong class of backs, which benefits Hunt. That said, his durability and competitiveness should give him a chance to stick as at least a change-of-pace back.

MIKE JONES, G, IOWA

ESPN.com ($): "He's feisty and plays with a mean streak. Displays adequate upper-body power and does a good job of using his long arms to maintain separation in pass pro. He also shows good awareness when it comes to picking up blitzes/stunts. He is a versatile prospect with experience at both tackle and both guard positions. He has developed into a vocal leader. Shows very good intangibles and work ethic...Does not display the wide base to anchor versus more powerful bull rushers in the NFL. Also will need help when attempting to move two-gap defensive linemen in the running game...he is a blue-collar player with the savvy and toughness to find his way onto a NFL roster."

Probably getting drafted: Jones has the look of a late-round pick. However, he also has the look of a guy like, say, Mark Tauscher, Marco Rivera, or Adam Timmerman - that is, a late-round pick who turns himself into a solid NFL starter. There's nothing flashy about Jones, who is projected to go 243rd overall to Green Bay. But he has the ability to play a number of different positions on the line, and will probably be a valuable reserve who becomes a starter within a few years.