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NFL Draft 2010 Prospects - Week 1 Play
DraftInsiders.com and ProFootballDraftNetwork.comwill be collaborating on a weekly article (posted every Wednesday during the college football regular season) to review the prior weeks most notable performances from a 2010 NFL Draft perspective.
Photo - TE Jermaine Gresham - Oklahoma
Frank Coyle - www.draftinsiders.com
Draft Insiders’ Digest –19th Season
* QB Sam Bradford - 6’3” 215 lbs - Oklahoma
Athletic fourth year junior QB had an auspicious debut that ended quickly with a throwing shoulder injury. He will miss at least 2 to 4 weeks, but no surgery is necessary currently. He had an incredible early career with the Sooners that included winning the Heisman award last season. He is the prototypical NFL passer with a strong arm, quick compact delivery and good touch and accuracy to make all the throws. This puts his pro aspirations on the sidelines as well as his chances of repeating as the Heisman winner. He should be back for the Red River Rivalry vs Texas’s Colt McCoy in a head to head classic matchup that may determine his decision about turning pro. Teammate TE Jermaine Gresham - 6’5” 255 lbs. is an athletically gifted senior tight end who has been shelved with a knee injury that required a scope procedure on Tuesday. He was rated as the premier prospect at the position with excellent receiving skills and the speed to be a huge factor in the deep game. He will miss the entire 2009 season due to the knee surgery. He will be missed by QB Sam Bradford after forming one of the games’ most potent tandems last season.
QB Tony Pike - 6’5” 215 lbs. - Cincinnati
Classic tall pocket passer is coming off a strong opening game where he blitzed a shocked Rutgers defense. This came on top of an impressive finish as a junior that has him ranked among the nation’s top passers. He makes all the throws and stands tall in the pocket, showing no fear when under a heavy pass rush. He gets the ball down the field with fine accuracy and velocity to pressure a defense. His fast improvement over his late career has him on every NFL club’s radar and one of the most improved prospects over recent seasons.
WR Mardy Gilyard - 6’1” 180 lbs. - Cincinnati
Smooth senior receiver combines good size, speed, agility and hands along with his fine level of development that makes him ready for the pro game. He had a strong opening game, displaying his well developed skill set for the position. His fine athletic ability allows him to be a factor as both a deep threat and intermediate receiver. His game is highly developed and ranks him at the top of senior receivers. He could be one of the top playmakers in this overall draft class.
* WR Mike Williams - 6’1” 205 lbs. - Syracuse
Athletic junior receiver returned to the field after missing the 2008 season due to academic issues. He had a strong opening game vs Minnesota where he showed the ability to get deep and hit the home run, in addition to working the intermediate routes. He combines fine size, hands and elite speed to be a legitimate NFL starter. He needs development in most areas for the position especially route running and reading coverage. He is just starting to develop at this point of his career and has begun to learn to use his fine size and speed to the fullest.
DE Greg Hardy - 6’4” 265 lbs. - Mississippi
Explosive pass rusher has shown dominant skills at times over his short SEC career. He has struggled with injuries over recent seasons and actually sustained more heel and leg injuries in the 2009 opener. Though he is capable of making big plays off the edge and displays consistency in that role when right, his repeated injury history will draw heavy scrutiny this season. He has the upfield speed to harass the QB and has the frame to fill out further. His ability to stay on the field and play every down will be watched closely over the critical ’09 season.
Denis Krusos - Editor - Pro Football Network
www.profootballdraftnetwork.com
QB “Juice” Williams, Senior, Illinois - The four-year starter at quarterback is looking for a big senior season to turn around a disappointing 2008 season for Illinois. Williams and the entire Illinois team did not play well in a lopsided 37-9 loss to a rebuilding Missouri. The dual-threat quarterback rushed for only 27 yards, was sacked 3 times and completed 18 passes in 28 attempts for only 179 yards with 1 interception. Williams and the offense appeared out of sync. The Illinois offensive leader has much to prove to NFL scouts regarding his consistency, accuracy and timing as a quarterback.
LB Eric Norwood, Senior, South Carolina - Norwood changed his mind at the last minute and decided not to enter the 2009 NFL Draft. If he keeps playing like he did against North Carolina State then he certainly will raise his draft stock. Norwood led the Gamecocks in a dominating defensive performance in a 7-3 win over the Wolfpack. The senior leader had 8 tackles and a pair of sacks. Norwood got off of blocks quickly and located the football all game.
LT Trent Williams, Senior, Oklahoma - The Sooners moved the massive Williams to the left side after playing right tackle last season. Williams made some poor decisions when faced with blitzes and BYU was able to unexpectedly put pressure on QB Sam Bradford. Oklahoma will have to clean up the communication problems along the offensive line. Williams and his offensive linemates also did not open up many holes for the running attack. Oklahoma rushed for only 118 yards in BYU’s 14-13 upset victory.
WR Eric Decker, Senior, Minnesota - Decker did what he does best, which is run good routes and catch the football. The Golden Gophers’ main pass receiving threat caught 9 passes for 183 yards (20.3 per) in Minnesota’s 23-20 overtime victory over Syracuse.
TE Cody Slate, Senior, Marshall - Slate had another highly productive game (9 receptions for 114 yards (12.6 per) and 2 touchdowns) in Marshall’s 31-28 opening game victory over a game Southern Illinois. Slate ran the slant well against Southern Illinois and came through when Marshall needed a play.