Thread: nfldraftcountdown's HOT list...

http://www.draftcountdown.com/featur...t/Hot-List.php

...and FRICK! Look who is at the top...

1. Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee
After carrying the underachiever label early in his career Robert Ayers really emerged as a great pro prospect the past couple of years and people have begun to take notice the last few months. His career sack totals (9.0) aren't all that impressive but Ayers was the Vols best pass rusher and he did make a lot of impact plays behind the line of scrimmage, racking up 27.5 tackles for a loss as a junior and senior. Adding to Ayers' value is his versatility and depending on scheme he could realistically play defensive end, defensive tackle or outside linebacker at the next level. Ayers draft stock was already on the rise but a terrific week at the Senior Bowl has put him in contention to be a Day One pick and he may even be one of the Top 3 true defensive end prospects in this draft. In fact, his stock has risen so much that there are many who feel the first round is even within reach.

I wanted him in round 5. OOPS! Not sure if I agree w/ the round 1 assessments, but early day 2 and I'd jump all over him.

2. Jarron Gilbert, DT, San Jose St.
When talking about players who have enjoyed a dramatic rise up draft boards this year Jarron Gilbert is one of the first names you have to mention. Coming into his senior year Gilbert wasn't considered to be much of a prospect but he had a fantastic final campaign for the Spartans (22.0 TFL and 9.5 Sacks) and was arguably the most impressive player at the East / West Shrine Game. At 6-6 and 287 pounds Gilbert is a DT / DE 'tweener and while there is still some debate as to where he will play at the next level he offers a lot of versatility and will remind some of Jason Jones or Kendall Langford, two guys taken early in last year's draft who went on to have excellent rookie seasons in the NFL. Gilbert has a lot of momentum in the scouting community right now and while workouts could play a big role in where he is ultimately selected it looks like he's a fringe Day One pick at this point.


3. Mark Sanchez, QB, USC
It came as a surprise to many (including Pete Carroll) when Mark Sanchez entered the draft after his junior year but at this point it looks like that was a smart decision. Even though he was only a starter for one season Sanchez is the most physically talented Trojan quarterback since Carson Palmer and there is no limit to how good he can be with more experience. Further adding to Sanchez's allure is the final impression he left scouts with, throwing for 413 yards and 4 touchdowns en route to winning MVP honors in the Rose Bowl. Sanchez will have a tough time overtaking Matthew Stafford as the top quarterback in this draft but he has a stranglehold on the #2 spot and could go as high as #3 overall to the Kansas City Chiefs. Worst-case it's hard to envision him falling out of the Top 10 overall and you could even see a number of teams trying to trade up for him.


4. Clay Matthews, OLB, USC
If this name sounds familiar it should because his dad, also named Clay, played in the NFL from 1978 to 1996 and his uncle, Bruce, is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame following a 19-year career with the Houston Oilers / Tennessee Titans. A former walk-on at Southern Cal, Matthews spent most of his college career in the shadow of other great Trojan linebackers like Keith Rivers, Rey Maualuga and Brian Cushing but as a senior he has emerged as a great pro prospect in his own right. A versatile player who is capable of seeing action at any of the linebacker positions as well as defensive end, Matthews is also an outstanding special teamer who is being looked at by 4-3 and 3-4 teams alike. After beginning the year as a late rounder / priority free agent Matthews has improved his stock as much as any prospect in the country and he is now a potential first rounder.


5. William Beatty, OT, Connecticut
It's no secret that offensive tackles are extremely valuable commodities on Draft Day and that was never more evident than last year, when eight blockers were chosen in the first round alone. Everyone knows all about the top four high-profile blockers in this year's class but William Beatty just might end up securing the #5 spot in the rankings. A tremendous athlete who is very light on his feet, Beatty (pronounced "bee-tee") still needs to add some bulk to his 6-6, 292 pound frame but he is already an outstanding pass blocker and also has a ton of upside as well. Right now Beatty is in a heated battle with the likes of Eben Britton, Phil Loadholt and Jamon Meredith for the top spot in that second-tier of offensive tackles but don't be surprised if ultimately wins out and emerge as a late first or early second rounder.

6. Larry English, DE-OLB, Northern Illinois
One of the country's most prolific pass rushers, Larry English amassed an amazing 56.0 tackles for a loss and 32.5 sacks during his college career with the Huskies. As a senior English totaled 15.0 TFL and 8.0 Sacks en route to being named the Mid-American Conference's Most Valuable Player for the second year in a row. A classic 'tweener at 6-3 and 255 pounds, English played defensive end in college but he may have to make the move to outside linebacker in the pros. Most likely in a 3-4 scheme. What position English will play might still be up in the air but at this point scouts don't seem to care because they tend to find room for guys who can rush the passer like he can. English took advantage of Brian Orakpo, Tyson Jackson and Michael Johnson all passing on the Senior Bowl and after a strong showing in Mobile it looks like he is now a legitimate first rounder.


7. Coye Francies, CB, San Jose St.
This is a guy who has actually been on the prospect radar to one degree or another for a few years but after a JUCO stint and a transfer from Oregon St. amid off-the-field troubles Coye Francies is finally bound for the pros. Physically you can probably make the case that Francies is as talented as any cornerback prospect in this draft thanks to his athleticism, height, speed, fluid hips, quick feet as well as good hands and ball skills. Francies really had a coming out party at the Senior Bowl and while it wasn't quite on the same level as Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie's from 2008 it was very impressive and his draft stock is definitely on the rise. Francies lack of ideal bulk (179 lbs.) and some character questions could hurt him a bit on Draft Day but he is one of the Top 10 players at his position and it wouldn't be a stretch to label him a fringe Day One pick at this point.


8. B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College
If things had gone as planned B.J. Raji would already be in the NFL but he was forced to sit out the entire 2007 season for academic reasons. It looks like that may have been a blessing in disguise though because Raji had an outstanding senior campaign and now he won't have to compete with Glenn Dorsey or Sedrick Ellis on Draft Day. A mountain of a man at 6-1 and 330+ pounds, Raji is certainly capable of playing nose tackle in a 3-4 defense but he isn't just a run stuffer and could fit in a 4-3 scheme as well. Think Pat Williams. In fact, "Busari" really surprised scouts with his ability penetrate and make impact plays behind the line of scrimmage this year. Not only is Raji the consensus top senior defensive tackle in this draft but after an absolutely dominating performance at this year's Senior Bowl he could easily wind up coming off the board in the Top 10 overall.


9. Louis Delmas, S, Western Michigan
Not only is Delmas the best pro prospect the Broncos have produced since Greg Jennings and Tony Scheffler back in 2006 but like them he should find a home in the second round when all is said and done. In terms of physical tools Delmas is adequate across the board but he certainly isn't going to make anyone's jaw hit the floor in workouts. However, when it comes to intangibles and leadership ability Delmas compares favorably with anyone in the country. Delmas had a very nice college resume heading into his senior season and was considered to be a decent pro prospect but he really took his game to the next level in 2008 and as a result his draft stock is soaring. Seemingly a favorite of every scout who has evaluated him, Delmas isn't a household name just yet but that could all change in the coming months. Rest assured the NFL already knows all about him.


10. Bradley Fletcher, CB, Iowa
Last year Charles Godfrey was a third round steal and now the Hawkeyes are sending another top defensive back to the pros. Even though he was just a one-year starter in college Fletcher made the most of his opportunity and came through with a strong senior campaign. However, what really sent his stock soaring was a standout performance at the East / West Shrine Game, where he was arguably the most impressive cornerback in attendance. At 6-2 and 200 pounds Fletcher has an intriguing blend of size and speed (4.50) and while some feel he will have to move to safety at the next level that may not be such a bad thing considering the success Godfrey had in making the same transition. Right now Fletcher looks like a solid mid-round pick and if he can manage to run the 4.4 forty that's been rumored in workouts he may even contend for a spot in the third round

The Not-So-Hot List

William Moore, S, Missouri
After entering his senior season as a potential Top 10 overall pick William Moore has seen his draft stock take quite a tumble. Moore certainly enjoyed a breakout junior campaign, showing the ability to be a force up close to the line (116 tackles) as well as in coverage (8 interceptions). However, in his other three seasons combined he totaled just three interceptions so 2007 was definitely an aberration. There is no question that at 6-0 and 223 pounds Moore has the ability to be a physical, in-the-box strong safety but he probably isn't the multi-dimensional threat that we once thought which is why he is dropping. If Moore can run well and impress in workouts he may have a chance to move back up but right now it looks like he has fallen out of the first round all together and there are some who feel he's only the third or fourth best safety prospect in the '09 Draft.

When looking for front seven personnel in a 3-4 defense, you want guys labelled as tweeners. You want DEs who are eyed as DTs. You want OLBs who are eyed as DEs. Your ILBs should be on the heavy side. In a true 3-4 scheme, the three down linemen are run stuffers first and pass rushers only as an afterthought. Their job is to tie up blockers so the LBs can break free and get all the glory. The OLBs are pass rushers who can also drop into coverage. Lawrence Taylor was the prototype 3-4 OLB. Ray Lewis is your prototype ILB. Lightweights like Ian Gold need not apply. Smurfish DEs like Dumervil can't handle being a 3-4 DE except maybe in a 3rd-and-long situation.

So, guys like Gilbert and English (above) ought to be attractive to our draft guys while traditional DEs and LBs who are on the small side we will likely bypass.

*Jarron Gilbert is really catching fire quickly...I was on a message board about a month or two and it was the first time I ever heard of him...watched some highlight videos on him and was thoroughly impressed...now you can't go to a draft site without seeing something about this guy...if someone "sneaks" into the first round, it could be him...

* I actually really like Robert Ayers but he does bring with him that "one year wonder" tag...I think he only started one season and had only 3 sacks...but he really stood out in the Senior Bowl and it's not about what you did but what you COULD do...and he COULD be very good at the next level...I haven't seen enough of him to agree with idea of him being a rush linebacker in a 3-4...but I could see a team using him much like we use Darren Howard...in passing situations bring in your smaller speed rushers and move him inside...not too many 4-3 defensive ends with some size in the draft..theres alotta smalls out there this year...

* Clay Mathews...I read this and went sshhhhhhh!...let people keep talking about Brian Cushing this and Brian Cushing that...Mathews is a guy that I was wanting for the Eagles in round 3...I think he's still obtainable there but if he starts to turn heads he could end up in round 2 where I don't think my Birds would pull the trigger on him there...he can play an linebacker position in a 4-3 and is a great blitzer...needs to work on his coverage skills but we have good young linebackers to hold us over until he gets better in that area...he could really be a Special Teams maven for any team until they feel comfortable giving him a place on the field for the defense.

* I actually noticed Larry English in a game without ever hearing of him before...he stands out and might be ideal for a 3-4...he rarely lined up in front front of a LT or a TE and likes play far off of the LT's left shoulder which would be an issue to a 4-3 team leaving a gap that wide open pre-snap...he's intense and has a good motor...

* I would like to see Louis Delmas in Philly and that is my version of saying I really like a guy, but I think people are reading too much into his intangibles and leadership ability...2nd round would be a little high for him IMO and I wouldn't start to consider him until late 3rd round...he's topping draft boards right now over guys like Rashad Johnson and William Moore who have made more plays in college than he has...Moore really stunk it up his senior year and was invisible at the Senior Bowl which is pretty considering people were looking for him...Moore has the same kind of intangibles that Delmas has, but he's made more plays, played against tougher competition and is a proto-type size...I dunno how much higher Delmas is than Moore when the tape is on...Moore was fighting injuries this season but might have more of an upside...Delmas has definitely helped himself and has moved up alot of Draft Boards but a 2nd round? I dunno, man.

* Bradley Fletcher is a guy I dunno too much about...this article will inspire me to find out more about him...

*Coye Francois looked good at the Senior Bowl but has had some pretty significant run-ins with the law that might scare some teams away on the first day...talent alone, he's worthy of a 2nd round pick..but I'm just not sure if GM's are going to feel compelled invest that much in a guy that has a questionable off the field lifestyle...kind of an Eric Wright of UNLV situation...Wright I think was selected by the Browns in the 2nd round...but I don't think Wright was actually charged for anything where Francois was...Coye is really going to have to help himself in the interview room...

* Mark Sanchez....the rule of thumb when selecting a quarterback is a good number of seasons started under their belt and a good completion percentage..doesn't have a whole lot of games started under his belt but nearly completed 65% of his passes in his career...he's got a good attitude and a good head on his shoulders...he's Mexican-American which might not mean alot, but a team like San Francisco could really re-energize their franchise a kid like him...he nearly didn't win the starting job this season and was beat out the season before by 5th round selection John David Booty...kinda scary, but IMO the best pro quarterback prospect in the draft...