Tweet
1.) Greg Middleton, DE, Indiana
Height: 6-3. Weight: 275.
Projected 40 Time: 4.82.
Projected Round (2009): Top 25 Pick.
Notes: Registered a nation-high 16 sacks in 2007.
2.) James Davis, RB, Clemson
Height: 5-11. Weight: 210.
Projected 40 Time: 4.44.
Projected Round (2009): 2.
Notes: Fellow Clemson running back, CJ Spiller has been the "Thunder" to Davis' "Lightning", preserving Davis for future use. His stats may not stick out as much this year because he's splitting carries. Davis is more of a power back, but still has admirable speed--making him a dual threat.
2.) DeMarco Murray, RB, Oklahoma (Alternative)
Height: 6-0. Weight: 190.
Projected 40 Time: 4.42.
Projected Round (2009): 2.
Notes: You've got to question his durability, at under 200lbs. Second, you've got to hope for a little more consistency. These concerns are, if he comes out this year at all. He's got some eligibility left, and could look to use it to improve his future draft stock, and maybe even bulk up. Most importantly, he appears to have the cutback vision you look for in a future Denver Broncos running back. He's also got excellent speed. He was silent in the Red River game, but it's hard to get time when the Bradford and the spread offense is working so well. Again, this is why I mentioned consistency, though. Kid does kick returns, as well.
3.) Scott McKillop, Pittsburgh
Height: 6-2. Weight: 243.
Projected 40 Time: 4.63.
Projected Round (2009): 2-3.
Notes: More physically appealing than Holtzclaw, but that's also means he may very well be taken before his counter-part of this list. If he's there, he'd probably be a wise choice. He had 151 tackles in 2007.
3.) Daniel Holtzclaw, Eastern Michigan (Alternative)
Height: 6-1. Weight: 245.
Projected 40 Time: 4.65.
Projected Round (2009): 3-4.
Notes: Finished 2007 with 125 tackles and a pair of picks.
4.) C.J. Spillman, FS, Marshall
Height: 6-0. Weight: 194.
Projected 40 Time: 4.44.
Projected Round (2009): 3-4.
Notes: Finished 2007 with 131 tackles and three forced fumbles. Leader on a lack-luster Marshall team.
4.) Chris Clemons, SS, Clemson (Alternative)
Height: 6-1. Weight: 210.
Projected 40 Time: 4.54.
Projected Round (2009): 4.
Notes: One of the ACC's top tacklers, registering 102 tackles in 2006, which was second on the team.
5.) Ron Brace, DT, Boston College
Height: 6-3. Weight: 330.
Projected 40 Time: 5.25.
Projected Round: 4-5.
Notes: He's a solid run-stopping defensive tackle, which is exactly what we're looking for to compliment a couple of pass-rushing defensive ends. Sure, we've got Carlton Powell for that next year. But Powell's better suited to sub in and out as Thomas' backup. This guy is a mammoth, and can be backup to Robertson at the tackle position. Run downs will call for a Brace-Powell combo.
*Numbers and information taken from WalterFootball
Height: 6-3. Weight: 275.
Projected 40 Time: 4.82.
Projected Round (2009): Top 25 Pick.
Notes: Registered a nation-high 16 sacks in 2007.
Reasoning: It's obvious our major deficiency is our pass rush. I mean, when David Garrard gets 5-7 seconds of time and still has to rush for no more than two yards, you know something's wrong. But at the same time, coverage has to be pretty good. Imagine if you get a pass rush to pressure the quarterback into a bad decision. This is a problem that needs to be fixed, and fast.
Height: 5-11. Weight: 210.
Projected 40 Time: 4.44.
Projected Round (2009): 2.
Notes: Fellow Clemson running back, CJ Spiller has been the "Thunder" to Davis' "Lightning", preserving Davis for future use. His stats may not stick out as much this year because he's splitting carries. Davis is more of a power back, but still has admirable speed--making him a dual threat.
2.) DeMarco Murray, RB, Oklahoma (Alternative)
Height: 6-0. Weight: 190.
Projected 40 Time: 4.42.
Projected Round (2009): 2.
Notes: You've got to question his durability, at under 200lbs. Second, you've got to hope for a little more consistency. These concerns are, if he comes out this year at all. He's got some eligibility left, and could look to use it to improve his future draft stock, and maybe even bulk up. Most importantly, he appears to have the cutback vision you look for in a future Denver Broncos running back. He's also got excellent speed. He was silent in the Red River game, but it's hard to get time when the Bradford and the spread offense is working so well. Again, this is why I mentioned consistency, though. Kid does kick returns, as well.
Reasoning: For the moment being, our pass offense is as explosive as anybody in the league. This is without a running game to back it up, too. But that presents a problem, because once they lock down our spread offense, we're stuck. Hence, why we've been inconsistent this season. If we only had a running back that could bring balance to our offense, and honesty to opposing defenses, our offense could be practically unstoppable. This is going on the assumption that Torrain doesn't come on really strong during the second half of the season. Our defense won't be completely transformed by one player, anyway. I'd forfeit that in order to make sure our offense can compensate for our defenses deficiencies in any situation.
You'll see that from here on out, it's all defense. 7th round picks were omitted.
You'll see that from here on out, it's all defense. 7th round picks were omitted.
Height: 6-2. Weight: 243.
Projected 40 Time: 4.63.
Projected Round (2009): 2-3.
Notes: More physically appealing than Holtzclaw, but that's also means he may very well be taken before his counter-part of this list. If he's there, he'd probably be a wise choice. He had 151 tackles in 2007.
3.) Daniel Holtzclaw, Eastern Michigan (Alternative)
Height: 6-1. Weight: 245.
Projected 40 Time: 4.65.
Projected Round (2009): 3-4.
Notes: Finished 2007 with 125 tackles and a pair of picks.
Reasoning: We're solid at the outside linebacker position. DJ Williams, Boss Bailey as our starters and Jamie Winborn and Wesley Woodyard as backups will suffice. Nate Webster at inside linebacker is pretty shaky ground, though. It's worth considering a worthy MIKE-backer as our first pick come day two.
Height: 6-0. Weight: 194.
Projected 40 Time: 4.44.
Projected Round (2009): 3-4.
Notes: Finished 2007 with 131 tackles and three forced fumbles. Leader on a lack-luster Marshall team.
4.) Chris Clemons, SS, Clemson (Alternative)
Height: 6-1. Weight: 210.
Projected 40 Time: 4.54.
Projected Round (2009): 4.
Notes: One of the ACC's top tacklers, registering 102 tackles in 2006, which was second on the team.
Reasoning: We're in need of help at safety. The guys currently on the roster aren't exactly signed to long term contracts. Hopefully last year's 7th round pick up can find the smarts on the field in order to compliment is sheer athletic ability. Either couple him with one of these guys, or if he doesn't pan our as a starter for next year's team, maybe one of these two can surprise us.
Height: 6-3. Weight: 330.
Projected 40 Time: 5.25.
Projected Round: 4-5.
Notes: He's a solid run-stopping defensive tackle, which is exactly what we're looking for to compliment a couple of pass-rushing defensive ends. Sure, we've got Carlton Powell for that next year. But Powell's better suited to sub in and out as Thomas' backup. This guy is a mammoth, and can be backup to Robertson at the tackle position. Run downs will call for a Brace-Powell combo.
Reasoning: Defensive tackle has obviously been a need for us for a while, the entire line has. But because we're passable for the moment being, a late round pick will suffice, especially considering we don't know what we'll get out of Powell.
Comment