The 2007 NFL Draft is just around the corner so Point-Spreads.com wanted to start offering up its NFL expert’s insight on what to expect this year.
ON THE RISE
Mississippi linebacker Patrick Willis is flirting with a move into the draft’s top 10 picks after an amazing March 20 pro day workout that included times of 4.37 and 4.38 seconds in the 40-yard dash. The performance not only astonished scouts, but it made Willis a man of his word after he said he would improve the 4.51 time he clocked at the combine.
Texas’ Michael Griffin still might be the third-best safety in the draft, but he is climbing close to the first round on some charts. The 6-0, 202-pounder helped himself at his March 21 pro day when he had marks of 4.40 in the 40 and 39 inches in the vertical jump.
FALLING
Georgia defensive end-linebacker Quentin Moses is slipping because it’s unclear where he can play. His March 20 pro day didn’t help. Scouts again noted that at 257 pounds he is too light for end and with a 4.77 in the 40 he probably is not fast enough for outside linebacker.
Penn State running back Tony Hunt disappointed teams when he didn’t run at the combine, then damaged his ratings a little more when he ran the 40 between 4.65 and 4.75 seconds at his March 22 pro day workout.
Louisville running back Michael Bush, once considered a first-round prospect, might be lucky to be selected on the first day. The intriguing 6-3, 247-pounder, who broke his left leg in the first game of last season, had a second operation March 18 when a rod was inserted into the leg. He is not expected to work out until well after the draft.
WORKOUT WATCH
Tennessee defensive tackle Justin Harrell, who tore his left bicep last season but was still rated a first-round prospect, finally showed how well he is coming back from the injury when he bench-pressed 225 pounds 31 times at his March 22 pro day.
Top Ten College Players to Watch in the 2007 NFL Draft
1.) Calvin Johnson, Georgia Tech WR
2.) JaMarcus Russell, LSU QB
3.) Joe Thomas,Wisconsin OT
4.) Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma RB
5.) Brady Quinn, Notre Dame QB
6.) Levi Brown, Penn State OT
7.) Gaines Adams, Clemson DE
8.) LaRon Landry, LSU FS
9.) Leon Hall, Michigan CB
10.) Amobi Okoye, Louisville DT
