Draft Insiders' Digest Premier NFL Draft and Free Agency Publication
www.draftinsiders.com

NFL Draft Prospects for the NFL Draft 2007, by position, updated periodically throughout the year.

* underclassmen
x- injury concerns

1/6/07
Outside Linebackers

Paul Posluszny, 6-2, 238, Penn St
Rufus Alexander, 6-1, 230, Oklahoma
Prescott Burgess, 6-3, 235, Michigan
* Xavier Adibi Virginia Tech 6-2,230
* Lawrence Timmons Florida St 6-3, 230
* Ali Highsmith LSU 6-1, 230
* Brian Toal Boston College 6-1, 235
H.B. Blades, 6-0, 245, Pittsburgh
Stephen Nicholas, 6-3, 225, South Florida
Ameer Ismail, 6-2, 225, Western Michigan
Earl Everett, 6-2, 232, Florida
Juwan Simpson, 6-3, 225, Alabama

Brooks was the only prospect chosen on July 13th

Ahmad Brooks - 6’ 3� 260 lbs. - LB - Sp. 4.65 - Virginia
A former national defensive player of the year coming out of high school, Brooks was dismissed from the club by HC Al Groh for violations of team rules. He had an outstanding start of his career for the Cavaliers over his first two seasons in ’03 and ’04. He totaled 12 sacks and 20 TFL as a true freshman and sophomore. He was hurt last fall and missed six games with a right knee injury. He visited Dr. James Andrews on early June for the knee to be examined and that report was made available to all NFL teams. He lost over 30 pounds this spring and came in at 6’3� and 260 lbs. He passed five drug tests in the last 10 weeks. On June 22 at University of Virginia on a 96 degree day, he worked out for 31 NFL clubs with only the Vikings (that figures) absent. He ran three times and timed at 4.68, 4.75 and 4.74 in the 40, with 10-yard splits of 1.53, 1.58 and 1.58 and 20-yard splits of 2.73, 2.75 and 2.75. His arm span measured 33½ inches and his hands measured 9½. He had a 32� VJ, a 9’8� BJ, 4.43 short shuttle, an 11.84 long shuttle, a 7.43 three-cone drill and 19 reps in the lifting.

The Cincinnati Bengals have been awarded LB Ahmad Brooks after they selected the former Virginia star in the NFL Supplemental Draft ‘06. The Bengals claimed Brooks by using a 3rd round pick. Brooks had been rated as a possible first round pick over his earlier career before injuries and some off the field problems tarnished his final grade. He was kicked off the Virginia team for repeated violations of team policy this offseason and entered this special draft process.

The Bengals will forfeit their 3rd round pick in the NFL Draft ‘07 as a result. None of the other eligible players were selected in the Supplemental draft which leaves Iowa St.

1. * Mario Williams #9 - 6’7� 295 lbs. - North Carolina St. - Sp. 4.75 Rating 94

Gifted athletic junior defensive end has the rare physical package to become a top flight NFL defender with further development. Mario has great size and athleticism that are the key components to become a dominant pro defensive end. He has continued to develop over his short career with another top performance over his junior season, earning first team ACC honors for the third consecutive time. He has been a dominant pass rusher over his entire career, combining imposing size and athleticism to beat blockers with both speed and power. He can be a strong outside pass rusher and gets great use of his long arms and quick hands to separate from blockers. He has lined up mainly on the strongside where his speed and quickness have allowed him to become one of the premier upfield speed rushers in football. He has developed better pass rusher moves with experience especially a spin move to the inside. His development of additional moves helped him battle the double teams he faced often over his later career. He is a two-way defender who shows the ability to defend the run well, though he needs further lower body strength to handle plays at the point of attack.

AFC East

Buffalo Bills - Grade C+
The Bills selected twice in the 1st round after trading up into the round with their #2 picks. With the 8th overall pick, they surprisingly chose safety Donte Whitner of Ohio State. Whitner was a fast rising defender but did not warrant a top ten selection. He is a fast tough defender with strong tackling and good coverage skills to press for a starting job early in his career. They added DT John McCargo of N.C. State in the late first round. He is an explosive interior defender who addresses a need area. He is a playmaker and should earn time on the inside and is an improving defender with interesting upside but a reach this early. On the 3rd round they chose corner Ashton Youboty of Ohio State, a big athletic junior with the AA package to develop into a fine starter. He was a total steal here and has intriguing upside with development. On the 4th round, they chose safety Ko Simpson of South Carolina. He is similar to Youboty – athletic junior who was projected earlier and has an NFL starting grade with refinement of his fine AA. With two 5th round picks, they added DT Kyle Williams of LSU and OT Brad Butler of Virginia. Williams has the experience and talent to win a backup role. Butler addresses a major problem area and will probably get a long look and most likely wins a roster spot. On the 6th round, they chose LB Keith Ellison of Oregon State. He is a good athlete who fell in this deep linebacker class and fine value here. He should contribute immediately on special teams. With two 7th round picks, they addressed the offensive line again in OT Terrance Pennington of New Mexico and guard Aaron Merz of California. Both figure to get a long look in camp with some upside especially Pennington on the outside.

From the Prez to the Olympics

1 Houston - Reggie Bush - RB - USC
The Texans have to get it right here after a poor ’05 performance especially on the offensive side of the ball. Bush is a difference maker at the NFL level. He gives this offense a player that must be accounted for on every snap and makes wideouts Andre Johnson and Eric Moulds more dangerous with the free safety mainly focusing on him. His presence also gives QB David Carr a weapon to balance this offense and capable of being the most improved unit in the league next fall if they can add a few offensive linemen in the following rounds.

First Round
x - Final position won by SF determined in a coin flip

1 Houston - Reggie Bush - RB - USC
Texans looking to sign Reggie but recent smoke screen for Super Mario is mainly for contract posturing.
Bush will be an impact performer for this club.

2 New Orleans - Mario Williams - DE - N.C. St.
In a perfect world, the Saints want to move back in the top 5 picks and still have a chance at OT D’Brickashaw Ferguson.

3 Tennessee - Vince Young - QB - Texas
Titans offense looking for a future starter here and the talented Young may have the biggest ceiling of any player in this draft class.