pakowitz

http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/arti...01/471464.html


May 1, 2003 Print it

The War Room


The race is on to be the first to shake Paul Tagliabue's hand next April, and it's a wide-open race, with three early favorites -- Oklahoma defensive tackle Tommie Harris, Texas wide receiver Roy Williams and Ole Miss quarterback Eli Manning.

Manning, the little brother of Peyton, is heads above the rest of the quarterbacks. Williams, if he hadn't tweaked his hamstring last season, would have entered the '03 draft and been a surefire top-five pick. Harris is a manchild, the prototype of what has become arguably the most coveted commodity in the NFL

Looking for a sleeper? A year ago, Southern Cal quarterback Carson Palmer was rated as an early third-round prospect. Today, he has a $40 million contract. Miami (Ohio) quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who has begun his ascent earlier than Palmer did, could follow suit. He is an exceptional athlete, has great arm and is smart.

Miami (Fla.) tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. is thought of along the same lines as his NFL Hall of Fame father and could be the best tight end ever to come out of college. Kellen Jr. won't be the first overall pick, but teams will be fighting hard to get into position to draft him.



A look at the prospects as they head toward the starting gate of the 2003 college season:

RK. PLAYER POS SCHOOL HT. WT. CLASS
1 Tommie Harris DT Oklahoma 6-3 288 Jr.
2 Roy Williams WR Texas 6-4 210 Sr.
3 Eli Manning QB Ole Miss 6-4 212 Sr.
4 Will Smith DE Ohio St. 6-4 250 Sr.
5 Kevin Mitchell ILB Oregon 5-10 212 Sr.
6 Derrick Strait CB Oklahoma 5-11 194 Sr.
7 D.J. Williams OLB Miami (Fla.) 6-2 243 Sr.
8 David Pollack DE Georgia 6-2 274 Jr.
9 Vince Wilfork DT Miami (Fla.) 6-2 342 Jr.
10 Shawn Andrews OT Arkansas 6-6 330 Jr.
11 Kellen Winslow Jr. TE Miami (Fla.) 6-5 230 Jr.
12 Carnell "Cadillac" Williams RB Auburn 5-11 199 Jr.
13 Darnell Dockett DT Florida St. 6-4 285 Sr.
14 Reggie Williams WR Washington 6-4 220 Jr.
15 Tim Anderson DT Ohio St. 6-4 289 Sr.
16 Ben Roethlisberger QB Miami (Ohio) 6-5 240 Jr.
17 Rashaun Woods WR Oklahoma St. 6-2 187 Sr.
18 Brandon Everage S Oklahoma 6-0 190 Sr.
19 Michael Boulware OLB Florida St. 6-3 225 Sr.
20 Greg Jones RB Florida St. 6-1 243 Sr.
21 Jonathan Vilma ILB Miami (Fla.) 6-2 220 Sr.
22 Tony Pape OT Michigan 6-6 299 Sr.
23 Rod Davis ILB Southern Miss 6-3 238 Sr.
24 Marlin Jackson CB Michigan 6-1 182 Jr.
25 Antwan Odom DE Alabama 6-4 278 Jr.

BlackandBlue

If Marlin Jackson is #24, that right there tells me this is a stronger class than what we saw in this years draft. He\'ll give Charles Woodson a run for his money on Michigan records before he declares for the draft.

WhoDat

For the love of God you two... can we please focus in on THIS season?

BlackandBlue

BAH- there\'s nothing to focus on right now. I need everything I can get right now to fill my football fix. :P

Cooky591

I would also put a wager on Pollack to be our first round pick. The University of Georgia has become our AAA affilitate. Seriously, CB should be a strength next year with players such as Jackson, Gamble, Nathan Vasher, Strait, The guys from Arkansas, Matt Ware, Jernaro Gilford, All the guys from FSU and then my personal favorite Antrel Rolle from Miami(FL.). But you are correct it is too early to worry about next year, unless you are a Saints Fan.

BlackandBlue

If we have a draft pick high enough to take Pollack, then I will be pissed. But I think we are ok at DE.
Rolle has everything going for him, he\'s got the size, he\'s got the speed, and he plays in a great program. Only thing that I cannot find any info on would be if he is related to another CB with the name of Rolle, who happens to be one of the best shutdown corners in the NFL. Samari did play for Florida State...

Cooky591

The draft is still along away, Pollack will not be a pick for us next year, unless Grant or Howard have a scary injury. We will draft a good CB, LT, DT or LB. We will have to wait and see.