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Never too early to look at the 2007 draft
(hello, I'm Gil Brandt)
By Gil Brandt
NFL.com Senior Analyst
(June 17, 2006) -- The college draft has been the bloodline for some of the most dominant teams in NFL history. You don't have to look very deep into successes of the great teams of the 1970s, '80s and '90s (Cowboys, Steelers, 49ers and Cowboys again) to see great drafts as the bedrock of their foundation.
And despite the onset of free agency in the NFL, franchises still look to the draft to build their core.
In recent years, the Patriots and Steelers have used the draft to win championships. Last season, Pittsburgh earned the Vince Lombardi Trophy with double-digit starters acquired in the draft, including Heath Miller, Troy Polamalu, Ben Roethlisberger and Hines Ward.
Now fully healed, Tedy Bruschi is going to embark on his 11th season as a Patriot.
Similarly, the Patriots' recent successes under Bill Belichick have come because of great draft picks like Tom Brady, Richard Seymour, Deion Branch, Eugene Wilson, Tedy Bruschi and Ty Warren -- just to mention a few.
Having said all that, it's never too soon to take a sneak peek at some of the top athletes who will make up the 2007 NFL Draft next April. This list is an early viewing of those fourth-year players (barring injury or performance drop off) who could be among the first 150 players selected.
Just because a player isn't on this list doesn't mean he won't be a high pick next April. Historically, many "under the radar" players have used their final season in school to climb the NFL scouts' lists. Many of them used a summer of peak conditioning to ready themselves for a breakout senior year.
Players are list alphabetically and include jersey numbers so you can easily identify and follow them throughout the 2006 college football season.
No. Name School Position
93 Adams, Gaines Clemson DL
95 Abiamiri, Victor Notre Dame DL
42 Alexander, Rufus Oklahoma LB
13 Alford, Jay Penn State DL
2 Allison, Aundrae East Carolina WR
98 Atkins, Baraka Miami (Fla.) DL
1 Bain, Travarous Hampton DB
81 Baker, Dallas Florida WR
1 Banks, Alvin James Madison RB
19 Barringer, Willis Michigan DB
93 Bazuin, Daniel Central Michigan DL
75 Beekman, Josh Boston College OL
8 Bennett, Fred South Carolina DB
11 Black, Quincy New Mexico LB
51 Blades, H.B. Pittsburgh LB
63 Blalock, Justin Texas OL
28 Booker, Lorenzo Florida State RB
80 Bowe, Dwayne LSU WR
1 Bowman, Zachary Nebraska DB
15 Breaston, Steve Michigan WR
99 Brown, Kareem Miami (Fla.) DL
67 Brown, Levi Penn State OL
5 Brown, Tarell Texas DB
96 Burchette, Noland Virginia Tech DL
19 Bush, Michael Louisville RB
5 Caldwell, Andre Florida WR
90 Carriker, Adam Nebraska DL
87 Chandler, Scott Iowa TE
40 Connor, Dan Penn State LB
16 Crosby, Mason Colorado PK
80 Crowder, Tim Texas DL
5 D'Andrea, Mike Ohio State LB
34 Darby, Ken Alabama RB
3 Davis, A.C. N.C. State DB
7 Davis, Buster Florida State LB
5 Davis, Chris Florida State WR
3 Davis, Craig LSU WR
76 Duckworth, Tim Auburn OL
50 Datich, Doug Ohio State OL
5 Edwards, Trent Stanford QB
30 Everett, Earl Florida LB
23 Franklin, Tony Virginia DB
62 Free, Doug Northern Illinois OL
62 Fry, Dustin Clemson OL
74 Frye, Brandon Virginia Tech OL
15 Gilliam, Sergio Clemson DB
22 Graham, Nick Tulsa DB
27 Griffin, Michael Texas DB
29 Hall, Leon Michigan DB
3 Hamilton, Marcus Virginia DB
92 Harrell, Justin Tennessee DL
81 Harris, Clark Rutgers TE
45 Harris, David Michigan LB
64 Harris, LeRoy N.C. State OL
68 Harris, Ryan Notre Dame OL
11 Herian, Matt Nebraska TE
70 Heyer, Stephon Maryland OL
88 Hicks, Jarrett Texas Tech WR
21 Higgins, Johnny Lee UTEP WR
83 Hill, Jason Washington State WR
9 Holley, Jesse North Carolina WR
34 Holloway, David Maryland LB
66 Howard, Loren Arizona State DL
3 Hughes, Daymeion California DB
26 Hunt, Tony Penn State RB
4 Irons, David Auburn DB
23 Irons, Kenny Auburn RB
4 Jackson, DeAndre Iowa State DB
28 Jackson, Tanard Syracuse DB
90 Johnson, Antonio Mississippi State DL
67 Kalil, Ryan USC OL
9 Keller, Sam Arizona State QB
30 Landry, LaRon LSU DB
23 Leonard, Brian Rutgers RB
25 Lewis, Courtney Texas A&M RB
45 Lua, Oscar USC LB
17 McCauley, Marcus Fresno State DB
52 Mebane, Brandon California DL
19 Meriweather, Brandon Miami (Fla.) DB
87 Milner, Martrez Georgia TE
84 Mines, Fontel Virginia WR
44 Moore, Jay Nebraska DL
86 Moore, Ryan Miami (Fla.) WR
94 Moses, Quentin Georgia DL
30 Moss, Tyrone Miami (Fla.) RB
28 Nelson, J.D. Oregon DB
89 Newton, Joe Oregon State TE
13 Newton, Syvelle South Carolina WR
91 Okoye, Amobi Louisville DL
65 Otto, Mike Purdue OL
90 Pitcock, Quinn Ohio State DL
31 Posluszny, Paul Penn State LB
10 Quinn, Brady Notre Dame QB
63 Ramirez, Manuel Texas Tech OL
81 Robinson, Laurent Illinois State WR
22 Rogers, Roderick Wisconsin DB
31 Ross, Aaron Texas DB
36 Rouse, Aaron Virginia Tech DB
50 Santucci, Dan Notre Dame OL
64 Satele, Samson Hawaii OL
2 Scott, Kenny Georgia Tech DB
76 Sears, Aaron Tennessee OL
42 Simpson, Juwan Alabama LB
2 Smith, Steve USC WR
10 Smith, Troy Ohio State QB
89 Speath, Matt Minnesota TE
73 Staley, Joe Central Michigan OL
5 Stanton, Drew Michigan State QB
2 Stuckey, Chansi Clemson WR
11 Talley, John Duke DB
86 Taylor, Courtney Auburn WR
72 Thomas, Joe Wisconsin OL
44 Thomas, Marcus Florida DL
6 Trannon, Matt Michigan State WR
72 Tyler, DeMarcus N.C. State DL
66 Ugoh, Tony Arkansas OT
4 Wade, Jonathan Tennessee DB
40 Waters, Anthony Clemson LB
32 Weddle, Eric Utah DB
23 Wendling, John Wyoming DB
81 Williams, Deyon Virginia WR
1 Williams, Paul Fresno State WR
49 Willis, Patrick Mississippi LB
4 Wilson, Josh Maryland DB
56 Woodley, LaMarr Michigan LB
21 Wynn, DeShawn Florida RB
59 Young, Kyle Fresno State OL
9 Zbikowski, Tom Notre Dame DB
Non-Division I players likely to be drafted:
88 Ariola, Justin Rocky Mountain TE
3 Ball, David New Hampshire WR
25 Bannister, Calvin Hampton DB
22 Coleman, Alonzo Hampton RB
38 DeOssie, Zak Brown LB
52 Durant, Justin Hampton LB
12 Gutierrez, Matt Idaho State QB
38 Hilliard, Lex Montana RB
2 Jones, Jacoby Lane WR
21 Merritt, Anthony North Alabama WR
34 Pruitt, Greg North Carolina Central RB
11 Rascati, Justin James Madison QB
4 Stone, Daren Maine DB
3 Tolbert, Henry Grambling WR
Extra Points
1. Chad Upshaw, a tight end from the University of Buffalo, is the nephew of Gene Upshaw, who is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and is the Executive Director of the National Football League Players Association.
2. J.D Nelson, a defensive back from Oregon, is the son of Darrin Nelson, who was picked in the first round (seventh overall) in the 1982 draft by the Minnesota Vikings and played 11 seasons.
3. H.B. Blades, a linebacker from Pittsburgh, is the son of Bennie Blades, who was picked in the first round (third overall) in the 1988 draft by the Detroit Lions and played 10 seasons.
4. Zak DeOssie, a linebacker from Brown, is the son of Steve DeOssie, who was picked in the fourth round (110th overall) in the 1984 draft by the Dallas Cowboys and played 12 seasons.
5. Greg Pruitt Jr., a running back from North Carolina Central, is the son of Greg Pruitt, who was picked in the second round (30th overall) in the 1973 draft by the Cleveland Browns and played 12 seasons.
6. Sam Keller, a quarterback at Arizona State, is the son of Mike Keller, who was picked 64th overall in the 1972 draft by the Dallas Cowboys and played one season.
Opponents have sure felt Tom Zbikowski's knockout punch as a DB.
7. Tom Zbikowski, a defensive back from Notre Dame, recently won his first boxing fight as a professional. He was a Golden Gloves fighter growing up.
8. Zach Latimer, a linebacker from Oklahoma, is the son of Don Latimer, who was picked in the first round (27th overall) in the 1978 draft by the Denver Broncos and played six seasons.
9. Rolf Krueger Jr., an offensive lineman at Rice, is the son of Rolf Krueger, who was drafted in the second round (35th overall) in the 1969 draft by the St. Louis Cardinals and played six seasons.
10. Stan White Jr., a fullback at Ohio State, is the son of Stan White, who was draft in the 17th round (438th overall) in the 1972 draft by the Baltimore Colts and played 11 seasons.
Never too early to look at the 2007 draft
(hello, I'm Gil Brandt)By Gil Brandt
NFL.com Senior Analyst
(June 17, 2006) -- The college draft has been the bloodline for some of the most dominant teams in NFL history. You don't have to look very deep into successes of the great teams of the 1970s, '80s and '90s (Cowboys, Steelers, 49ers and Cowboys again) to see great drafts as the bedrock of their foundation.
And despite the onset of free agency in the NFL, franchises still look to the draft to build their core.
In recent years, the Patriots and Steelers have used the draft to win championships. Last season, Pittsburgh earned the Vince Lombardi Trophy with double-digit starters acquired in the draft, including Heath Miller, Troy Polamalu, Ben Roethlisberger and Hines Ward.
Now fully healed, Tedy Bruschi is going to embark on his 11th season as a Patriot.
Similarly, the Patriots' recent successes under Bill Belichick have come because of great draft picks like Tom Brady, Richard Seymour, Deion Branch, Eugene Wilson, Tedy Bruschi and Ty Warren -- just to mention a few.
Having said all that, it's never too soon to take a sneak peek at some of the top athletes who will make up the 2007 NFL Draft next April. This list is an early viewing of those fourth-year players (barring injury or performance drop off) who could be among the first 150 players selected.
Just because a player isn't on this list doesn't mean he won't be a high pick next April. Historically, many "under the radar" players have used their final season in school to climb the NFL scouts' lists. Many of them used a summer of peak conditioning to ready themselves for a breakout senior year.
Players are list alphabetically and include jersey numbers so you can easily identify and follow them throughout the 2006 college football season.
No. Name School Position
93 Adams, Gaines Clemson DL
95 Abiamiri, Victor Notre Dame DL
42 Alexander, Rufus Oklahoma LB
13 Alford, Jay Penn State DL
2 Allison, Aundrae East Carolina WR
98 Atkins, Baraka Miami (Fla.) DL
1 Bain, Travarous Hampton DB
81 Baker, Dallas Florida WR
1 Banks, Alvin James Madison RB
19 Barringer, Willis Michigan DB
93 Bazuin, Daniel Central Michigan DL
75 Beekman, Josh Boston College OL
8 Bennett, Fred South Carolina DB
11 Black, Quincy New Mexico LB
51 Blades, H.B. Pittsburgh LB
63 Blalock, Justin Texas OL
28 Booker, Lorenzo Florida State RB
80 Bowe, Dwayne LSU WR
1 Bowman, Zachary Nebraska DB
15 Breaston, Steve Michigan WR
99 Brown, Kareem Miami (Fla.) DL
67 Brown, Levi Penn State OL
5 Brown, Tarell Texas DB
96 Burchette, Noland Virginia Tech DL
19 Bush, Michael Louisville RB
5 Caldwell, Andre Florida WR
90 Carriker, Adam Nebraska DL
87 Chandler, Scott Iowa TE
40 Connor, Dan Penn State LB
16 Crosby, Mason Colorado PK
80 Crowder, Tim Texas DL
5 D'Andrea, Mike Ohio State LB
34 Darby, Ken Alabama RB
3 Davis, A.C. N.C. State DB
7 Davis, Buster Florida State LB
5 Davis, Chris Florida State WR
3 Davis, Craig LSU WR
76 Duckworth, Tim Auburn OL
50 Datich, Doug Ohio State OL
5 Edwards, Trent Stanford QB
30 Everett, Earl Florida LB
23 Franklin, Tony Virginia DB
62 Free, Doug Northern Illinois OL
62 Fry, Dustin Clemson OL
74 Frye, Brandon Virginia Tech OL
15 Gilliam, Sergio Clemson DB
22 Graham, Nick Tulsa DB
27 Griffin, Michael Texas DB
29 Hall, Leon Michigan DB
3 Hamilton, Marcus Virginia DB
92 Harrell, Justin Tennessee DL
81 Harris, Clark Rutgers TE
45 Harris, David Michigan LB
64 Harris, LeRoy N.C. State OL
68 Harris, Ryan Notre Dame OL
11 Herian, Matt Nebraska TE
70 Heyer, Stephon Maryland OL
88 Hicks, Jarrett Texas Tech WR
21 Higgins, Johnny Lee UTEP WR
83 Hill, Jason Washington State WR
9 Holley, Jesse North Carolina WR
34 Holloway, David Maryland LB
66 Howard, Loren Arizona State DL
3 Hughes, Daymeion California DB
26 Hunt, Tony Penn State RB
4 Irons, David Auburn DB
23 Irons, Kenny Auburn RB
4 Jackson, DeAndre Iowa State DB
28 Jackson, Tanard Syracuse DB
90 Johnson, Antonio Mississippi State DL
67 Kalil, Ryan USC OL
9 Keller, Sam Arizona State QB
30 Landry, LaRon LSU DB
23 Leonard, Brian Rutgers RB
25 Lewis, Courtney Texas A&M RB
45 Lua, Oscar USC LB
17 McCauley, Marcus Fresno State DB
52 Mebane, Brandon California DL
19 Meriweather, Brandon Miami (Fla.) DB
87 Milner, Martrez Georgia TE
84 Mines, Fontel Virginia WR
44 Moore, Jay Nebraska DL
86 Moore, Ryan Miami (Fla.) WR
94 Moses, Quentin Georgia DL
30 Moss, Tyrone Miami (Fla.) RB
28 Nelson, J.D. Oregon DB
89 Newton, Joe Oregon State TE
13 Newton, Syvelle South Carolina WR
91 Okoye, Amobi Louisville DL
65 Otto, Mike Purdue OL
90 Pitcock, Quinn Ohio State DL
31 Posluszny, Paul Penn State LB
10 Quinn, Brady Notre Dame QB
63 Ramirez, Manuel Texas Tech OL
81 Robinson, Laurent Illinois State WR
22 Rogers, Roderick Wisconsin DB
31 Ross, Aaron Texas DB
36 Rouse, Aaron Virginia Tech DB
50 Santucci, Dan Notre Dame OL
64 Satele, Samson Hawaii OL
2 Scott, Kenny Georgia Tech DB
76 Sears, Aaron Tennessee OL
42 Simpson, Juwan Alabama LB
2 Smith, Steve USC WR
10 Smith, Troy Ohio State QB
89 Speath, Matt Minnesota TE
73 Staley, Joe Central Michigan OL
5 Stanton, Drew Michigan State QB
2 Stuckey, Chansi Clemson WR
11 Talley, John Duke DB
86 Taylor, Courtney Auburn WR
72 Thomas, Joe Wisconsin OL
44 Thomas, Marcus Florida DL
6 Trannon, Matt Michigan State WR
72 Tyler, DeMarcus N.C. State DL
66 Ugoh, Tony Arkansas OT
4 Wade, Jonathan Tennessee DB
40 Waters, Anthony Clemson LB
32 Weddle, Eric Utah DB
23 Wendling, John Wyoming DB
81 Williams, Deyon Virginia WR
1 Williams, Paul Fresno State WR
49 Willis, Patrick Mississippi LB
4 Wilson, Josh Maryland DB
56 Woodley, LaMarr Michigan LB
21 Wynn, DeShawn Florida RB
59 Young, Kyle Fresno State OL
9 Zbikowski, Tom Notre Dame DB
Non-Division I players likely to be drafted:
88 Ariola, Justin Rocky Mountain TE
3 Ball, David New Hampshire WR
25 Bannister, Calvin Hampton DB
22 Coleman, Alonzo Hampton RB
38 DeOssie, Zak Brown LB
52 Durant, Justin Hampton LB
12 Gutierrez, Matt Idaho State QB
38 Hilliard, Lex Montana RB
2 Jones, Jacoby Lane WR
21 Merritt, Anthony North Alabama WR
34 Pruitt, Greg North Carolina Central RB
11 Rascati, Justin James Madison QB
4 Stone, Daren Maine DB
3 Tolbert, Henry Grambling WR
Extra Points
1. Chad Upshaw, a tight end from the University of Buffalo, is the nephew of Gene Upshaw, who is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and is the Executive Director of the National Football League Players Association.
2. J.D Nelson, a defensive back from Oregon, is the son of Darrin Nelson, who was picked in the first round (seventh overall) in the 1982 draft by the Minnesota Vikings and played 11 seasons.
3. H.B. Blades, a linebacker from Pittsburgh, is the son of Bennie Blades, who was picked in the first round (third overall) in the 1988 draft by the Detroit Lions and played 10 seasons.
4. Zak DeOssie, a linebacker from Brown, is the son of Steve DeOssie, who was picked in the fourth round (110th overall) in the 1984 draft by the Dallas Cowboys and played 12 seasons.
5. Greg Pruitt Jr., a running back from North Carolina Central, is the son of Greg Pruitt, who was picked in the second round (30th overall) in the 1973 draft by the Cleveland Browns and played 12 seasons.
6. Sam Keller, a quarterback at Arizona State, is the son of Mike Keller, who was picked 64th overall in the 1972 draft by the Dallas Cowboys and played one season.
Opponents have sure felt Tom Zbikowski's knockout punch as a DB.
7. Tom Zbikowski, a defensive back from Notre Dame, recently won his first boxing fight as a professional. He was a Golden Gloves fighter growing up.
8. Zach Latimer, a linebacker from Oklahoma, is the son of Don Latimer, who was picked in the first round (27th overall) in the 1978 draft by the Denver Broncos and played six seasons.
9. Rolf Krueger Jr., an offensive lineman at Rice, is the son of Rolf Krueger, who was drafted in the second round (35th overall) in the 1969 draft by the St. Louis Cardinals and played six seasons.
10. Stan White Jr., a fullback at Ohio State, is the son of Stan White, who was draft in the 17th round (438th overall) in the 1972 draft by the Baltimore Colts and played 11 seasons.
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