biggie
February 19th, 2008, 02:38 PM
From Todd McShay:
http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft08/insider/columns/story?columnist=mcshay_todd&id=3252856
"Former Kansas State wideout Yamon Figurs wowed scouts with a 4.30 40-yard dash at the 2007 combine. Here are the five players I expect to compete for fastest-in-class honors this year.
1. Donnie Avery, WR, Houston
2. Jack Williams, CB, Kent State
3. Michael Grant, DB, Arkansas State
4. Dexter Jackson, WR/RS, App. St.
5. Jamaal Charles, RB, Texas "
"Five small-school prospects to know
1. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State
Rodgers-Cromartie proved at last month's Senior Bowl that he is more than capable of hanging with the big boys. A late-first round selection is not out of the question, but only if he works out as well as expected at the combine.
2. Joe Flacco, QB, Delaware
Deceptively athletic and blessed with the strongest arm in this year's class, Flacco should continue his ascent up NFL draft boards after the combine.
3. Kendall Langford, DE, Hampton
Langford is not a great athlete but is strong enough to take on blockers as a two-gap end in a 3-4 scheme. He mistakenly dropped about 25 pounds to improve his quickness for the East-West Shrine game, and scouts now want to know whether Langford can replenish that weight and throw up the standard 225-pound bench press at least 30 times.
4. Heath Benedict, OT, Newberry College
An inconsistent showing at the Senior Bowl made it clear that Benedict is still a work in progress. The Division II standout is expected to move inside to guard early in his NFL career so he can be better protected, but Benedict needs to rank among the elite in all the running and agility drills to show scouts and coaches that he's athletic enough to one day compete for a spot at tackle.
5. Josh Johnson, QB, San Diego A former Jim Harbaugh protégé from the nonscholarship FCS ranks, Johnson will look to build on the momentum he generated as the MVP of the East-West Shrine game. With Oregon's Dennis Dixon still recovering from a season-ending knee injury, Johnson is expected to sweep the board with low QB times in the 40-yard dash, short-shuttle and three-cone drill. "
"Feeling left out
Approximately 10 percent of players selected in each draft are not invited to the combine. Here's a look at the 15 biggest combine snubs in 2008:
5. Corey Lynch Appalachian State S 5-11 3/4 204 4.61
12. Tim Hightower Richmond RB 6-0 216 4.60 "
http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft08/insider/columns/story?columnist=mcshay_todd&id=3252856
"Former Kansas State wideout Yamon Figurs wowed scouts with a 4.30 40-yard dash at the 2007 combine. Here are the five players I expect to compete for fastest-in-class honors this year.
1. Donnie Avery, WR, Houston
2. Jack Williams, CB, Kent State
3. Michael Grant, DB, Arkansas State
4. Dexter Jackson, WR/RS, App. St.
5. Jamaal Charles, RB, Texas "
"Five small-school prospects to know
1. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State
Rodgers-Cromartie proved at last month's Senior Bowl that he is more than capable of hanging with the big boys. A late-first round selection is not out of the question, but only if he works out as well as expected at the combine.
2. Joe Flacco, QB, Delaware
Deceptively athletic and blessed with the strongest arm in this year's class, Flacco should continue his ascent up NFL draft boards after the combine.
3. Kendall Langford, DE, Hampton
Langford is not a great athlete but is strong enough to take on blockers as a two-gap end in a 3-4 scheme. He mistakenly dropped about 25 pounds to improve his quickness for the East-West Shrine game, and scouts now want to know whether Langford can replenish that weight and throw up the standard 225-pound bench press at least 30 times.
4. Heath Benedict, OT, Newberry College
An inconsistent showing at the Senior Bowl made it clear that Benedict is still a work in progress. The Division II standout is expected to move inside to guard early in his NFL career so he can be better protected, but Benedict needs to rank among the elite in all the running and agility drills to show scouts and coaches that he's athletic enough to one day compete for a spot at tackle.
5. Josh Johnson, QB, San Diego A former Jim Harbaugh protégé from the nonscholarship FCS ranks, Johnson will look to build on the momentum he generated as the MVP of the East-West Shrine game. With Oregon's Dennis Dixon still recovering from a season-ending knee injury, Johnson is expected to sweep the board with low QB times in the 40-yard dash, short-shuttle and three-cone drill. "
"Feeling left out
Approximately 10 percent of players selected in each draft are not invited to the combine. Here's a look at the 15 biggest combine snubs in 2008:
5. Corey Lynch Appalachian State S 5-11 3/4 204 4.61
12. Tim Hightower Richmond RB 6-0 216 4.60 "