My 2005 Draft Board

[shadowdrinker_x]

I know some people have been asking for a list of possibles for the next draft...

I have compiled, over many tediuos hours, the positions that I feel are the biggest needs...

These are names and reports from hundereds of web sites, as well as my own opinion..so..I will not be posting links , because it would take up way too much space

These are the top 5 , In my opinion, of each catagory that I felt were the most important

Again..most of this is just my own thoughts..so don't take it all to heart, and please fell free to add to the list as you feel necessary

Safeties

1 - Jamaal Brimmer - SR - UNLV - 6'1'' - 205 lbs

Jim Thorpe Award Candidate
Bronko Nagurski Trophy Candidate
2003 first team all america
2 time MWC consensus defensive player of the year award

Insane Instincts..kid can find the ball..and has the speed to be very effective blitzing..good hitter with fair size, very durable

2 - Thomas Davis - JR - Georgia - 6'1'' - 220 lbs

More of an overall good athelete than a dedicated safety...has played running back,quarterback,defensive end.defensive back,wide reciver.punter.kicker,and kick returner..Always a consistent tackler...Semi- finalist for Jim Thorpe Award,and Chuck Bednarik Award

3 - Josh Bullocks - JR - Nebraska - 6'0'' - 190lbs

Interception Machine...Leads the Nation in takewaways..has ''nose for the ball''..and just seems to make big plays..2003 Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalist ......2003 First-Team All-American...2003 First-Team All-Big 12 ....Nebraska and Big 12 Conference Records for INTs in a Season (10) .......Second Nationally in Interceptions Per Game (0.77 pg)...2003 Midseason All-American ...... 2003 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week..The Huskers led the nation in turnover margin and INTs and Bullocks was a huge reason why.

4 - Darnell Bing - Soph - USC- 6'2'' - 220lbs

I love this kid's size..the only reason i listed him a little lower than top 3..is because of his age..I'm not 100% sure he is going to come out this year..If not..he will be the top Safety next year..Darnell is a hard hitting safety with a knack for the big play. He is always among the teams top 5 tacklers, and is very elusive in the secondary. He has very good size for a kid his age. He not only know how to, but loves to bring the pain. At 6’2� 220lbs. better size couldn’t be asked for in regard to his position. He has decent hands, and will make a few picks every year. Plays safety like a safety and loves sitting back in center field. Not quite on par with Roy Williams and Sean Taylor, but could easily become that caliber pro player. Has unlimited potential and upside. Also does very well with coaching

5 - James Butler - Georgis Tech - 6'3'' - 210 lbs

James has prototype size and was an All-America and Jim Thorpe Award candidate at free safety after an all-conference season in 2003. He earned all-ACC recognition on the field and in the classroom. Butler is a smart player with excellent size and athletic ability. He spent his first two years as a backup and special teams player before moving into the starting lineup last fall. Career totals of 149 tackles, seven tackles for loss, five interceptions and nine pass breakups. First-team all-ACC free safety and one of 12 semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back. He finished second in the ACC in interceptions with five and averaged 9.2 tackles per game with six tackles for loss. He also had six pass breakups, three forced fumbles and one blocked kick. He set the Tech season record for tackles by a defensive back with 119 and was named to the ACC All-Academic football team. This young man has the potential to be the top safety in the 2005 NFL draft

Corner Backs

1 - Antrel Rolle - SR - Miami - 6'1'' - 205 lbs

Will go in the top 5 picks without a doubt...has all the things you look for in a defensive player..plays big in big games..and shut down Fitzgerald last year when they played..If you need a Cb..you need Rolle..and we need a CB..really there's not much to say about this guy you don't allready know..

2 - Justin Miller - JR - Clemson - 5'11'' - 195 lbs

Miller burst on to the scene as a true freshman picking off eight passes, this set a school record and led the ACC. His freshman year he also broke up nine passes and made 61 tackles in only seven starts. As a sophomore in 2003 he was a preseason first-team All-American according to The Sporting News and ranked as the #2 cornerback in the nation by that publication. He was named to the preseason watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Award (top defensive player in the nation) and the Jim Thorpe Award (top defensive back) and one of only two sophomores nationally on the Thorpe Award list. Miller was also a preseason first-team All-ACC by Lindy’s, The Sporting News, Athlon, and Street & Smith and ranked as the best cover corner in the ACC by Lindy’s. He was also a monster in the return game; he was the first ACC player since Keeta Covington of Maryland (1985) to lead the ACC in kickoff returns and interceptions in the same season. His 35.1 average on kickoff returns was third best in ACC history and his eight interceptions were the most by an ACC player since 1996 when Tar Heel Dré Bly had 11. He was also named 2003 pre-season ACC defensive player of the year. He didn’t have quite the year statistics wise in 2003; he accumulated 12 tackles, 1 assist, 1 sack and 2 interceptions because most teams didn’t throw his direction. Miller has bulked up from 185 to 200 pounds this spring and he still runs a 4.40 forty. He is a very cocky corner and will mirror the best opposing receiver all over the field. He is very fluid and smooth in his back pedal. Being only a junior he is still inexperienced but he abounds with talent. If he decides to turn pro he will most likely be a late first round draft pick.

3 - Corey Webster - SR - LSU - 6'0'' - 195 lbs

Pretty good all around CB with speed to burn. Recorded a monsterous 7 INTs in last years campaign and played effectively in the Sugar Bowl last year. Dcent, but not good or bad size at CB, he can jam very well and throws receivers off thier routes. Not a tackling machine, but is a ballhawk and shuts down his side of the field. Moving up the charts, could sneak his way into the fight for top 3 CBs.

4 - Jimmy Williams - JR - Virginia Tech - 6'2'' - 210 lbs

Again..I love this kid's size..could really help in stopping the run...probably a 2 -3 rounder..but..you never know..He has mostly played safety and at 6-3 and close to 220 pounds, that will be his position in the NFL. But this year he will asked to play corner to take the vacant spot created from CB DeAngelo Hall’s departure into the NFL. Jimmy is a huge hitter who should be an intimidating corner after playing safety. Holy cow, Jimmy is as big as some of the top linebackers. He's a smart player who'll adapt quickly to his new position and I just see stardom written all over this kid. Williams was second on the Hokies with 114 tackles last season, but not just a big hitter he had two interceptions and five broken up passes as well. Depending on when this young man chooses to enter the draft he will draw a lot of attention from NFL scouts and should develop into an professional playmaker extraordinaire. His time as a corner will only help his development.

5 - Marlin Jackson - SR - Michigan - 6'1'' - 190lbs

A tall and lean CB, which is exactly what teams are looking for in new defensive backs. Marlin can go head to head with the tallest WR and jam them at the line as well. This guy is the 2nd or 3rd best CB in the nation. He is All Big 10,All American, and Jim Thorpe for top DB as well. He can tackle the guy with the ball, or he can intercept the ball with his athletic ability. Taller than most DBs around, his height and tackling ability will shoot him up the ranks come April. Many scouts have Marlin as the top DB in this class, I disagree and think it is Antrel Rolle. This is Jackson's senior year and will be a force to be reckoned with in the Wolverine secondary.

Inside Line-Backers

1 - Kirk Morrison - SR - San Diego State - 6'3'' - 240lbs

Last season he put up 6 tfl, 1 interception, and 3 ff. A great leader who has increased his stats every year. Considered by many draft experts to be one of the top MLB\'s, Kirk, looks to be an early day 1 player. He could sneak his way into the 1st round, but most likely a solid 2nd round pick for the team that picks him.

2 - Odell Thurman - JR - Georgia - 6'1'' - 225lbs

Intense football player that lives for the big hits. He is a solid wrap-up style tackler who misses very few. Utilizes his size well to deceive QB’s throwing over the middle and cause many tips and interceptions as well as to move laterally across the line of scrimmage to find the ball-carrier. Equally dominate in run-stopping as well as pass coverage, but due to his great speed, is much more useful in coverage. Quickly locates the ball and has great awareness to go for the strip when the opportunity presents itself. A superb combination of speed and strength allows him to rack up a ton of tackles every year.

3 - Barrett Ruud - SR - Nebraska - 6'2'' - 240lbs

Another guy with Ideal size for stopping the run up the middle...Could be huge...2003 Second-Team All-Big 12 ..2003 Third-Team All-Big 12 ...2003 Butkus Award Watch List.........2003 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week....Nebraska Season Record for Tackles (149).....Two-Time First-Team Academic All-Big 12 ...Ruud had a breakout season in 2003. He also forced 4 fumbles, scored 2 touchdowns, and absolutely wreaked havoc on opposing team with his play in the middle

4 - Abdul Hodge - JR - Iowa - 6'2'' - 235lbs

This guy is a menace at the ILB position. An intense competitor, who puts on a tackling clinic each game. He put up monster stats as a sophomore recording 141 total tackles! He should just get better this year. He was born in the Virgin Islands, then moved to America to play some football.He has all the tools you look for including instinct, size, speed, playmaking ability, and knowledge. Named to pre-season second team all-American by NationalChamps.net as is one of three juniors selected to team Leadership Council for 2004 season . Abdul led the Big 10 in tackles this year and I fully expect him to do the same this year. He netted first team all Big 10 in 2003. This guy has a great work ethic and attidude and could prove to be a top 5 LB when April rolls around.

5 - Robert Rodriguez - SR - UTEP - 6'1'' - 230lbs

Robert is a very smart and active linebacker who has labored in relative obscurity for three years in a losing program. He is a very intense player with a real nose for the football. Robert lacks a special physical attribute, but in the mold of a Zach Thomas he is a very smart ballplayer who is a student of the game. Not track fast, but football fast, always taking the right angles to the ball. Is adequate in coverage, and has decent instincts in coverage. Height and speed are a distinct handicap at the next level when it comes to dropping back into coverage, but Robert is a worker... Robert needs to work on his first step and on doing a better job of shedding blocks. His straight ahead speed and bench reps will both need improvement if he is to be a factor at the combine. .

Offensive Tackles

1 - Alex Barron - SR - Florida State - 6'6'' - 315lbs

He's the nation's best returning offensive lineman, bar none. After debating whether or not to leave early for the NFL, Barron chose to come back and will be one of the main keys to the Seminole season. A mammoth player with excellent feet and movement, Barron is growing into a tremendous pass blocker utilizing his long arms well. He gets out of his stance quickly and gets into good position as a pass protector. He slides very well and has the power to drive defenders off the ball. While he is not as mean and nasty as former Iowa Hawkeye Tackle Robert Gallery, he definitely gets the job done. There are very few tackles with his combination of size, strength and quickness. In 2003 he was All-ACC and CFN First Team All-American. Alex had to have shoulder surgery this spring (2004) ... but he is very experienced and well coached and if he heals up nice and is able to get stronger he should be a top fifteen pick in the first round the 2005 NFL draft.

2 -Jammal Brown - SR - Oklahoma - 6'5'' - 305lbs
First-team All-America by the AFCA and CNNSI.com and a consensus All-Big 12 selection ... second team All-America by Walter Camp Foundation and The Sporting News ... had the highest season grade among Oklahoma’s offensive linemen ...finished with a team-high 127 knockdown blocks and just one sack allowed ... ran down UCLA linebacker Spencer Havner to make the tackle at the end of a 72-yard interception return ... started every game at right tackle..super athleticism for his position..could be a steal at the mid first round

3 - Nick Kazcur - SR - Toledo - 6'5'' - 325lbs

Big offensive lineman that grew up in Canada. Has had success on the field since his freshmen season when he was named to the second team All-MAC team. Very powerful blocker that establishes a good base and has good footwork. As with all young tackles though his footwork could use some fine tuning but overall it is solid. Concerns over Kaczur have to do with his lack of bulk and the lack of consistent quality competition. To raise his stock come April he will need to add some weight to his frame and continue blocking for the high powered Toledo offense.

4 - Jon Scott - JR - Texas - 6'6'' - 305lbs
Started all 13 games at left tackle … tabbed third-team All-Big 12 by the conference coaches … picked second-team All-Big 12 and honorable mention All-Big 12 … shared UT’s Most Improved Offensive Player honor ... key member of a line that paved the way for the nation’s sixth-ranked scoring offense (41.0 ppg) and eighth-ranked rushing offense (232.5 ypg) …


5 - Wesley Britt - SR - Alabama - 6'7'' - 315lbs

2004 Lombardi Watch List 2003 Academic All-SEC 2003 First-Team All-SEC....2003 Second-Team All-SEC ... 2003 Pre-Season Second-Team All-America .... 2003 Lombardi Award Watch List 2003 No. 3 Offensive Tackle .... 2002 First-Team All-SEC ...2001 Fourth-Team Freshman All-America ... 2001 Freshman All-SEC ....Big player for the Tide, broke his ankle in the ninth game of the season against Tennessee, still named 1st Team by the coaches-- showing that he is a respected player by his opponents. Has an immense mean streak about him, and throws DTs around like they are rag dolls. Just a nasty competitor who plays at 100% every time the Tide offense is on the field. Britt is a preseason Lombardi watch list player after finishing a strong Academic All SEC 2003 season.

Outside Line-Backers

1 - Derrick Johnson - SR - Texas - 6'4'' - 225lbs

Prototype is the word that comes to mind..another top 5 pick...Started all 13 games … named one of three Butkus Award finalists … first player in Texas history to be honored as a Butkus finalist … was UT’s first consensus first-team All-American LB since Jeff Leiding in 1983 … tabbed first-team All-America by The Associated Press, the Football Writers Association of America and the Walter Camp Football Foundation … earned second-team All-America honors from The Sporting News … unanimous first-team All-Big 12 pick … named UT’s Mike Campbell Most Valuable Defensive Player ... earned UT’s Outstanding Linebacker honors ... garnered UT’s Mike Campbell “Across the Bow� Defensive Player of the Week four times … recorded 125 tackles, 20 TFLs, two sacks, 10 pressures, nine PBUs, four interceptions (T-No.1 on UT’s single-season INT by a LB list), one forced fumble and three fumble recoveries in 2003 … six of his seven turnovers forced in 2003 either resulted in scores or set up short touchdown drives … registered or tied the team high in tackles eight times in 13 games … in four games against Top 25 opponents, posted 50 tackles, 12 TFLs, three PBUs, one interception, five pressures and a caused fumble … key member of a defense which ranked ninth in the NCAA and third in the Big 12 in pass defense (177.3 ypg), 25th in the nation and fourth in the conference in total defense (329.8 ypg), and 32nd in the country and fourth in the conference in scoring defense (21.5 ppg) … tallied a team-high 11 tackles, one sack, one TFL, one PBU, one QB pressure and returned an interception for a touchdown in the season-opener against New Mexico State … posted a team-high and tied his career high with a 14-tackle effort against Arkansas, which also included two TFLs and one pressure … tied the team high with 11 tackles and a fumble recovery at Rice to share UT’s Mike Campbell Defensive Player of the Week award … registered six tackles, two PBUs, recovered a fumble and had two interceptions against Tulane … received both the Big 12 Conference and UT’s Mike Campbell “Across the Bow� Defensive Player of the Week accolades for his performance in that game … recorded a team-high 10 tackles, three TFLs, and a PBU in the win against No. 16 Kansas State … registered a team-high 13 tackles vs. No. 1 Oklahoma … tallied a team-high nine tackles at Iowa State … had five tackles and one sack with two pressures at Baylor … intercepted his fourth pass of the season (T-No.1 on UT’s single-season INT by LB list) to go along with a team-high 11 tackles, a forced fumble, four pressures and four TFLs versus No. 12 Nebraska … named the Nagurski Award’s National Defensive Player of the Week and earned UT’s Mike Campbell Defensive Player of the Week award for his accomplishments versus Nebraska … had seven tackles at Oklahoma State with two going for losses … recorded a team-high 11 tackles, including a season-high nine solo tackles versus Texas Tech … finished the regular season with a team-high eight tackles at Texas A&M … had nine tackles, two for a loss, a pass breakup and a pressure versus No. 15 Washington State

2 - Micheal Boley - SR - Southern Miss. - 6'3'' - 230lbs

This kid will be sought after highly..and should be..The two-time First-Team All-Conference USA selection finished with 154 tackles and a team-leading 11 sacks for the Golden Eagles this past season. He has to be commended for coming back to Southern Miss for his final season, many thought he would declare for the NFL draft as a junior last year. Named as preseason first team All-American by Athlon Sports and Lyndy�s, he should be a Butkis award candidate this year. A little thin also but a consistent, hard nosed playmaker. Boley is a freakish athlete with wiry strength who easily overplays his size limitations. If Boley continues to get bigger he could easily be a first round draft pick in the 2005 draft.

3 - A.J. Hawk - JR - Ohio State - 6'2'' - 230lbs

Cool name..haha..has good size..but not great...13 tackles for loss, four sacks and two interceptions and 106 total tackles, the comparisons are there for A.J. Hawk. He is compared to Chris Spielman and Andy Katzenmoyer, 2 other great Buckeye linebackers. Moving into his junior year, this is his year to show why is his All Big 10 talent. This guy is a dream of a LB, not only does he stuff anything in his way, he provides a spark on defense and his atheltisim nets him some quality INTs as well. A.J. was a monster last year, especially against North Carolina State, where he netted 12 tackles, 2 for loss, and an interception that went 55 yards the other way. His play enabled Ohio State to beat NCST in triple overtime and stay undefeated at that point in the season. Hawk will most likely go pro after this year, assuming he has a similar year. He will be up for the Butkus Award and perhaps the Lombardi Award as well. This guy excells in running from side to side and stopping the play. He only needs to improve his coverage and interception ability, but he had 2 last year so I see that improving. Hawk is a top flight LB who could be a Round 1 selection with another All Big 10 year..

4 - Ahmad Brooks - Soph - Virginia - 6'4'' - 245lbs

the only other sophomor on my list..I'm not sure if he will come out either..but his size is awesome..kid's huge..Even though he is only a sophomore he will probably be eligible for the 2005 NFL draft due to the fact that he spent a year at Hargrave Military Academy to get his grades up, before transferring to Virginia, so he is three years removed from high school. The kid has really been hyped up but he could be an instant playmaker on the inside. Brooks forms a linebacking tandem with Daryl Blackstock that is probably the best in the nation. He has been hampered by injuries a little bit in the past but this future star from Woodbridge Virginia runs a 4.40 forty, has a 325 pound bench and a 41 inch vertical jump, a truly awesome size speed ratio. He was named ACC freshman of the year in 2003 and he led the Cav's in tackles with 117 with 10 being for a loss. Coming out of high school he was the top recruit in the state and the USA Today’s National Defensive Player of the Year, it was a coup for Virginia to land this future star. If he plays his sophomore season as expected and remains injury free he could easily be a top 20 selection in the 2005 draft, if he declares.

5 - Rian Wallace - JR - Temple - 6'4'' - 245lbs

Wallace drew national attention in 2003 recording 148 tackles (97 solo), 19.5 tackles for loss, one sack, six broken up passes and two fumble recoveries. Wallace is a supreme linebacker stuck on a poor team that rarely plays on national TV. But if you're looking for a future NFL star Wallace is your man. Rian is very versatile and can play inside or out. He should be a finalist for the Butkus Award and on most preseason All-America teams. He has the size and speed ratio that NFL scouts look for, and is able to shed blocks as well as the best of them. He's a great pass rusher, has fine instincts and is a scrappy brawler. He usually has some blood and grass sticking on his helmet by the end of a game. Rian needs work on improving his pass coverage; he is decent in zone, but struggles in man to man coverage. Rian won’t play in the spotlight this year but could develop into one of the top 5 linebackers in the nation.

I did not list any Offensive Guards..the depth on that spot is unreal..we could easily get a 4-5 rounder..and he could come in and compete right away...

That is my list...I hope you enjoy it..and get some ideas about who we need..

[Edited on 2/12/2004 by shadowdrinker_x]

[Edited on 2/12/2004 by shadowdrinker_x]

[saintswhodi]

Nice job shadow. Looks like you worked hard on that. It\'s no secret who I want but kudos.

[BrooksMustGo]

Derrick Johnson
Jamaal Brown
Antrell Rolle
Brodney Poole

In that order or preference. Great job putting the list together.

[FireVenturi]

Nice job

two differences

A Brooks no 2 outside backer

C Webster no 5 Cb

Great info!!!

[TheJudge]

no one with the last name of brooks please......

[BlackandBlue]

Every Saint fan with a pulse has Derrick Johnson topping their list.

I like Brimmer, but I would take Davis first. Ask anyone in the know over in Georgia and they will tell you that he is the leader of that team, not Pollack. I\'ve got Marlin Jackson as my #2 CB, but I have a hard-on for size at that position. Nice list overall, I could nitpick here and there, I really like Britt, I\'d have him #3 on the list of tackles. I believe that Lance Mitchell out of Oklahoma will break many people\'s top 5 at OLB after the combine takes place.

[BrooksMustGo]

B&B, You make a great observation.

If we pick at #6, I\'d be all about taking Derrick Johnson first and Lance Mitchell if he lasts into the 2nd round? Then move Watson outside?

[dberce1]

Wherever we end up in the draft, I\'m sure Derrick Johnson will be picked one spot ahead of us, regardless of the team. It\'s just our luck yo.

[shadowdrinker_x]

Wherever we end up in the draft, I\'m sure Derrick Johnson will be picked one spot ahead of us, regardless of the team. It\'s just our luck yo.

You\'re reffering to last years draft right?..

It made me mad too..to keep getting ripped off like that..Denver and the Jets...They just wouldn\'t stop..I hope we can get more aggressive this time around

[bayouking318]

t made me mad too..to keep getting ripped off like that..Denver and the Jets...They just wouldn\'t stop..I hope we can get more aggressive this time around [/quote:357dcf901c]


What\'s the point...They was aggressive to pick 6th in 03\' \"Jonathon Sullivan\" while everyone screaming and predicting it will be Trufant. I just don\'t feel optimistic with Loomis making our picks.