2010 Pre Combine Offensive Draft

Round 1

OC/OG Maurkice Pouncey, Florida, 6045, 304, 5.15,

Pouncey is a massive interior lineman who has the flexibility and power to consistently overwhelm defenders in the run game and he's quick enough to get to the second level. He projects as a good pass blocker. Having the fluidity and athleticism to slide his feet and mirror in pass protection. He grades out as one of the draft’s top overall talents in my opinion. Maurkice comes highly decorated, having won the 2009 Rimington Trophy which is given to the nation's outstanding center in NCAA Division I-A football.

Pouncey has very little experience of snapping to a QB under center since UF ran an exclusively shotgun offense. That should only be a minor issue though.

He has the makings of someone capable of winning a starting job in training camp and eventually developing into one of the league’s top centers.


Round 2

Toby Gerhart, Stanford, RB, 6-1, 232, 4.60

Ok I know what you're thinking. But if you watched Pac-10 football knows Stanford's Toby Gerhart is a force to be reckoned with. Gerhart may not be the fastest back. He runs in the mid 4.5's and 4.6's. He may not be the most athletic, either. But his durability, his power, and his lack of fear; those are components to his game that cannot be replaced. Neither can his break-away speed, his vision, and his relentless ability to and knack for attacking defenders, usually many at a time. Widely regarded as the 2010 draft's top "power back".

Now for the obvious, the lacks of "the elite burst" at the point of attack. He does not make himself small when plowing through traffic and lacks wiggle. The biggest concern I have is his ball protection skills. He is too comfortable with the ball in his right hand and does a poor job of keeping the ball beneath his outside shoulder. This makes it easy to strip.

Why he will be there at 34? He was a medical redshirt he used in 2007 as a result of a torn ACL in his left knee. Considering his upright running style on a repared left knee and his lack of athleticism, teams will downgrade his stock. He will best be used in a system that allows him to carry the ball in certain situations rather then being depended upon to carry the ball every down.

Gerhart is a running back with great hands and a ton of power when breaking tackles. He would be a great power back. He will get a shot as a tailback, but has the body and physicality to make the move to fullback in a pinch or possibly even a tight end at the next level, think a faster Jason Witten.

If he falls to the third round, he would be very hard to pass up.So the Saints take the gamble at 34. They get their power back.



Round 3

TE, Dennis Pitta, BYU, 6-5, 250, 4.66

Bottom of the third? I see him climbing into the third but I am going with it. There is no doubting his soft hands, size and speed. He is not a freak athlete per say, but he does possess an exciting combination of size and speed to make him a nightmare for a defence. The under rated value in this guy is his natural strength, route running and his uncannie ability to make the clutch play. He likely runs around a late 4.6/40 but is a tremendous route runner with an excellent understanding of how to get open and be in the right place at the right time. His maturity and intelligence, combined with his amazing hands, makes Pitta one of the toughest matchups in college today. Few LB can run with him and fewer DB can match his strength. He has an outstanding ability to settle in the zone and catch everything thrown his way. Good stick move and change of direction.

Pitta is not asked to be a blocker so it is an underutilized and underrated aspect of his game. Pitta is naturally strong. His technique will need work but the core strength is there for Pitta to develop. He has a thick upper body with room to grow minimally. Not an in line blocker or much of a blocker at all. More of a bigger WR. Potential

Ok he has SP written all over him.

Round 4

OT, Selvish Capers, West Virginia, 6-6, 289, 4.91

How far does he drop. I see the combine bring him back into the third. Once thought of as a probable first round is falling so fast you would think he had a leg cut off. Reason? Capers was beaten inside and out. at the senior bowl. A former tight end has the athleticism to eventually star in a zone-blocking scheme, but he may be a year or two away from contributing.. Another Bushrod? Add him to the list of fourth round project SP always takes on.

How far does he drop. Once thought of as a probable first round is falling so fast you would think he had a leg cut off. Reason? Capers was beaten inside and out. at the senior bowl. A former tight end has the athleticism to eventually star in a zone-blocking scheme, but he may be a year or two away from contributing.. Another Bushrod? Add him to the list of fourth round project SP always takes on.

Round 6

QB, Ryan Perrilloux, Jacksonville State, 6-3, 222, 4.57

The Saints need to address the back up QB someday soon and this troubled head case will need to have strong interviews to get picked.The talent is there and now Sean has a clubhouse in place to keep him in his place.