NFL Michigan

Remember Tim Biakabutuka? He was a superstar running back at Michigan who was going to be the first great Carolina Panthers running game when they drafted him in 1996. That didn't work out so well, though, as a series of knee and foot injuries ended his career prematurely.

So what's he up to these days? Well, as Crystal Dempsey of the Charlotte Observer found out almost by accident, Biakabutuka stayed in Charlotte, and he now owns a chain of Christian jewelry stores.

Beya (Jewelry) is the only retailer in Charlotte that stocks H. Stern jewelry, a celeb favorite. Other lines include Lagos, Baume & Mercier, Gurhan, Piaget and Chopard.

"Beya" is the name of his grandfather and brother.

Biakabutuka, 33, says the Christian collection is the one closest to his soul. "I always try to figure out ways to glorify God," says the Zaire native, who grew up in Montreal.

Plus, the line sets the stores apart from other retailers. "Nobody else was selling high-end Christian jewelry," Biakabutuka says.

I tend to think that's because Jesus wasn't really a big fan of the bling bling -- save, of course, for that Pearl of Great Price. Still, it's good to see a guy like Biakabutuka doing okay for himself, which is more than you can say for a lot of former NFL stars these days. If you're interested in looking at some of his wares, click here.

(In case you're wondering, no, that's not Biakabutuka's hand in that photo. A Getty Images search for "Christian Jewelry" didn't turn up anything more compelling than that.)

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 ($).

LEON HALL, CB, MICHIGAN

ESPN.com ($): "He's a fluid and smooth athlete. Possesses adequate-to-good size and plays even bigger than his size would indicate. An aggressive and tough cornerback. Shows very good instincts and will do an excellent job of reading quarterbacks' eyes in coverage...Lack of ideal turn-and-run skills is biggest knock...Hall is big and strong enough to handle bigger NFL receivers one-on-one and he also does a fine job supporting the run. In our opinion, Hall grades out as a mid-first round prospect but in a weak class of cornerbacks he could come off the board in the top-10 picks."

Probably getting drafted: Early. As the report notes, this is a weak cornerback class, and Hall is the best of the bunch. McShay has him going tenth overall to Houston, and there's little doubt he'll go in the first half of the first round.

ANTHONY SPENCER, DE, PURDUE

ESPN.com ($): "His motor never stopped running as a senior and it seems that the "light finally came on" in terms of his technique and recognition skills. He plays the run hard and will give great effort pursuing from the backside. Displays good strength for his size...Lacks ideal size; somewhat on the shorter side with just adequate bulk. Might struggle to get off of blocks as quickly versus bigger NFL lineman. He is quick and fast, but he doesn't possess great change-of-direction skills...While some consider him a 'tweener defensive end/outside linebacker, we're not convinced he's athletic enough to play linebacker in the NFL. His best fit most likely will be as a 4-3 defensive end in a one-gap scheme similar to the Colts'. Regardless, Spencer should come off the board late in the first or early in the second round."

Probably getting drafted: Spencer looks like he'll jump into the first round. McShay lists him 25th to the Jets. There's still a chance Spencer will drop into the first part of the second round, but the odds are still good that he'll get his name called by the time the Colts pick to close out the first round.

LaMARR WOODLEY, DE/OLB, MICHIGAN

ESPN.com ($): "He never gives up on a play and he displays an outstanding motor. He has improved his strength and did a much better job anchoring when teams ran at him as a senior in 2006...Has trouble stacking at the line of scrimmage versus taller, bigger offensive tackles. He has experience dropping into coverage but he's far more effective when turned loose up-the-field. He's a bit stiff in the hips and might not be fluid enough to make the move to linebacker in the NFL...The key for Woodley is to land with a team that will mask his weaknesses by using him as a one-gap DE. To his credit, Woodley bulked up and became much stronger versus the run in 2006. He also displays the speed, power and vicious mentality it takes to succeed at the next level. Despite his lack of a natural fit, we still think Woodley is worthy of consideration in the bottom-half of Round 2."

Probably getting drafted: Woodley's motor and strength seem to mask his status as a "tweener". A guy with his makeup but less physical ability would be relegated to the second day, but Woodley appears to be a solid second-round pick. McShay has him going 50th to the Titans.

NFL scouts think they know him, but they're wrong...

Steve Breaston, wide receiver, Michigan

WHAT NFL SCOUTS ARE SAYING

ESPN.com ($): "A homerun threat with the ball in his hands -- as a receiver, return man and on reverses. He shows great vision as a runner and sees creases opening up quickly. Shows very good initial burst and top-end speed. He displays the necessary second-gear to run away from defenders in the open field...Will have some trouble getting off the line of scrimmage versus bigger, more physical defensive backs in the NFL...lacks the physical tools to ever emerge as a difference-maker in the NFL. At best, Breaston will become a No. 4 receiver and a solid punt return specialist at the next level."

The Sporting News Pro Football Draft Guide: "Quick, smooth receiver who makes things happen in the open field. Will work the middle and fight to the whistle after the catch...sells fakes so well he turns around defenders...lacks elite explosiveness and speed and the lower-body strength to break tackles."

PROBABLY GETTING DRAFTED

From the sounds of it, Breaston is going to be available early in the second day. Many "draftniks" are looking at Breaston as a fourth-round selection.

GUY WHO WATCHED HIM FOR FOUR YEARS IS SAYING

...that I can't figure out why Brian Cook didn't want to post this.

[Brian Cook weighing in! Personally, I have my doubts about Breaston as an NFL level performer and think his draft slotting as a late-round return specialist is about right. He's not Devin Hester. Sorry, Bruce (and Steve). -ed]

Actually, I'm saying that the scouts are missing the boat on Breaston. What I'm not going to try to do is sell Breaston as a first-round pick. But the idea that he won't go on the first day is somewhat ridiculous to me.

He's not Devin Hester, but he is still a very good kick-return prospect. Just ask Indiana. Or Penn State.

Now, ask yourself something. What did Devin Hester do for the Bears last year, besides returning kicks?

(Answer: "Virtually nothing, unless you're impressed by his nine total tackles.")

Steve Breaston is not exactly a lowly receiving prospect in this draft. He's not the biggest player in this receiver class, but he is scary fast, very elusive, and he's not afraid of contact.

More than any other Big Ten player I've looked at for this project, I do not understand why Breaston is rated as low as he is. He has upside as a slot receiver in the NFL, and he is definitely one of the top return players in the draft. I think he merits selection no later than the first part of the third round. If he's available past, say, pick 75, he becomes one of the top steals on the board.

(Thanks to Brian Cook of MGoBlog and the FanHouse for his help finding Breaston video.)