There were a lot of great sporting events taking place this weekend, but I couldn’t help myself from watching eight hours of NFL combine coverage on the NFL network.
I was happy to see a player from the 2-10 Maryland Terrapin football team emerge as one of the stars of the combine. LT Bruce Campbell will ring the register from his performance this weekend and guarantee his selection in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft on April 22nd. Campbell is 6’6″, 316 lbs., and ran a tight end-esque 4.78 40. Campbell benched 225 lbs. 34 times and showed athleticism rarely seen by an offensive lineman at the NFL combine. NFL Scouts were very critical of Campbell on tape, and many teams graded Campbell out as a fourth rounder based on his inability to finish blocks in the running game. Even though Campbell was a part of one of the worst offensive lines in ACC history over the last two years, his combine performance will force some team to take the risk on him in the first round.
I think every quarterback in this draft will be a career back up at best, and can’t believe the hype surrounding Sam Bradford. If the Rams select Bradford #1 in the draft, they deserve to be terrible for the next 10 years. Also, I think that there is little separation between the wide receiver who will be taken in the first round, and the receiver who will be drafted in the fourth round.
There are a number of big running backs in this draft who weigh in at 230+ pounds and run 4.5 40′s. I think this running back class is deep and can provide tremendous late round value. Tennessee RB Montario Hardesty, another combine winner who saw his stock rocket, had the best vertical and broad jump of any RB . At 210 lbs, Hardesty ran a 4.49 40.
Even if you think your team is set on the offensive line (can you ever have enough warriors in the trenches?), there will be outstanding value after the second round with a number of big, athletic offensive linemen in the 2010 class. There are a bunch of solid guards/tackles who could provide much needed roster depth and insurance during a grueling NFL season
Mike Mayock from the NFL network declared that there are 15 quality tight ends in this draft. Three TE’s that stood at to me as great 3rd/4th round selections for the Ravens were: Dennis Pitta from BYU, Tony Moeaki from Iowa, and Jimmy Graham, a converted basketball player from Miami, FL. Pitta ran a 4.63 40 and looked the best of the TE’s in the gauntlet drill. Graham will be a project, but Heap will have two years to groom him under his current contract. Graham may have the highest ceiling of potential of the three. Gresham, Hernandez, Gronkowski, and Dickson get all the TE hype, but they are nominally better than the three I have mentioned. Also, Dorrin Dickerson, an H-back from Pitt, ran a 4.43 40 and could be a very interesting player who could help the Ravens stretch the field vertically.
There are a number of quality defensive linemen in this draft as well. Once again, you are going to get value from
guys in the later rounds who are comparable to players selected in the first three rounds. Florida DE Carlos Dunlap, 6’6″ 290 lbs, is projected to be selected in the early-mid second round and was one of the best players in college football last year. Are you kidding me? When I look at the end of the first and second round, I see some excellent players who are going to end up on playoff teams. Because this draft is deep but lacks a ton of star power, you will see New Orleans, Indy, Dallas etc. add in some rock solid pieces to their existing roster. Scary. South Florida DE Jason Pierre-Paul, 6”6″ 270 lbs was recognized as a standout performer on Monday. Hybrid linebackers/defensive ends are the new rage in the NFL.
Before the draft starts, I am going to predict that the Lions will walk away the draft winner. I have a feeling that the Rams will blow it and let Suh fall to #2. The Lions will also get a 5 star player at the top of the 2nd round as well. Since Matt Millen isn’t there to draft another wide receiver, I suspect that Detroit will add 2 Pro Bowl caliber players to their roster as a result of the 2010 draft. Also, San Francisco has two first round picks (13 & 17) and should walk away as a significant draft day winner as well.
I hope Ozzie Newsome addresses the Ravens receiver issue in free agency. Most receivers take three years to develop and the Ravens have a team that can win now. If Ozzie can bring in a quality free agent receiver and just focus on the best player available, the Ravens will have another quality draft. Mike Mayock has said many times that the strength of this draft matches up with the Ravens needs.
Keep your eye on Trindon Holliday (4.27) 40), C.J. Spiller (4.28 40), Jahvid Best (4.33 40), and Dexter McCluster as wildcard players who will bring home run hitting ability to any team that drafts them. These players will hit the ground running Day 1 in the NFL and immediately bring something dynamic to the table.
What players stood out to you in the combine? Who would you like to see your favorite team draft?
Woodman – going for the ratings
Filed under: Football, NFL Tagged: | bruce campbell, c.j. spiller, dennis pitta, dexter mccluster, jahvid best, mike mayock, nfl combine, NFL Network, sam bradford, tony moeaki
Bruce Campbell certainly looked impressive, but be weary of workout heroes. If he consistently grades out as a fourth rounder then I wouldn’t draft him any higher than the third round. There are plenty of guys who look the part, but when it’s time to strap on the chin strap they just don’t perform (i.e. Vernon Gholston).
Pat,
I just read a few moch drafts and none of them had Campbell in the first round. I guess his workout couldn’t overcome his shitty tape. Literally, Maryland’s offensive line the last two years has been the worst in ACC history.
Campbell does have one thing that you can’t teach and that’s speed. If he can’t grasp the tackle position they could move him inside as a guard. Guards don’t really utilize a quick lateral step, but they need to be able to move, so they can pull and get to the second level to block linebackers. Who knows, maybe he can move to the D-line and be a menace. That being said, I’m sure with the right work ethic and coaching staff he can turn out to be a fine tackle.