7th Round Pick Jimmy Verdon's write-up



From Mike Detillier's Draft Report 2005

JIMMY VERDON - DE/DT
ARIZONA STATE

6-3, 280
SPEED: (5.00)
RATING: 17.49
TAKEN: 7th Round #232

Verdon was regarded as one of the top overall athletes in the state of California when he came out of Pomona High School. Jimmy played linebacker, safety, wide receiver and tight end in high school and he earned honorable mention USA Today newspaper All-American honors. He was also a standout basketball player. Verdon was redshirted in 2000. In 2001 Verdon played in 11 games and he was in on 23 tackles, 3 tackles for losses and 1 QB sack. Jimmy started 14 games in 2002 and he was in on 48 tackles, 6 1/2 tackles for losses and 4 QB sacks. In 2003 Verdon was in on 44 tackles, 6 tackles for losses, 3 QB sacks and he intercepted 2 passes. In 2004 Jimmy registered 40 tackles, 8 1/2 tackles for losses, 2 QB sacks and 3 pass break-ups. Verdon saw work at both DE and defensive tackle for the Sun Devils.

Verdon is not a flashy performer, but he gives great effort on each and every play and he gets good penetration from both the edge and inside. Quick, very active defensive lineman, who moves well across the line and he has super quick reaction skills. He plays the game on his feet and he is rarely off balance. He plays much faster than he times in at. He knows how to use his arms and hands very well to shed off blockers. He plays the game with great passion and he is an intelligent football player. He changes directions well and he has good balance skills. Verdon is not an overly big lineman, but he is strong at the point of attack. Jimmy needs work on his overall techniques and he must not play as upright. When he plays low and gets good leverage skills, he is a very good player. He needs to get bigger and stronger, especially in the upper-body. Has average foot speed and quickness. Verdon will not test out through the roof, but he is a good football player, who is productive and he will give you an honest day's work.

6th Round Pick Jason Jefferson's write-up



From Mike Detillier's Draft Report 2005

JASON JEFFERSON
WISCONSIN
6-1 1/4,310
SPEED: (5.25)
RATING: 17.46
TAKEN: 6th Round #193

Jefferson was regarded as one of the top D-line prospects in the state of Illinois when he came out of Leo High School. He was in on 310 tackles and 43 QB. sacks during his prep career. Jefferson was also a top track athlete throwing the shot put and he made it to the state meet three different years. Jason was redshirted in 2000 and he saw little action as a reserve in 2001. Jefferson started 12 games in 2002 and he was in on 45 tackles, 2 tackles for losses, 1 QB sack and he had one forced fumble. Jason started 13 games as a junior and he was in on 30 tackles and 2 1/2 tackles for losses.

Jefferson started every game alongside Anttaj Hawthorne in 2004 and he was in on 25 tackles, 4 1/2 tackles for losses and 3 QB sacks.

Jefferson is a tough, hard-nosed football player in the middle and he does a good job stacking up the inside running lanes. Very competitive player, who is built low to the ground and he displays good leverage skills. Anchors down strongly against the run. Well built athlete in the upper-body and he has improved upon his ability to fight off blockers using his strong arms and hands. Much more successful in a short area, than out in space. He flashes some explosive qualities, but he is a bit inconsistent and he needs to learn how to use his arms and hands in a better fashion. At times Jefferson just gets wired to blockers for too long. While he shows some hustle on plays run away from him Jefferson does not have very good chase-down foot speed and quickness. Jason needs to upgrade his pass rush skills and moves. Well-built inside player, who is extremely strong at the point of attack, but he has just never been able to put all the football pieces together out on the field.

5th Round Pick Adrian McPherson's write-up



From Mike Detillier's Draft Report 2005

ADRIAN McPHERSON - QB
ex-FLORIDA STATE / INDIANA FIREBIRDS (ARENA)
6-3 ¼, 220
SPEED: (4.49)
RATING: 16.09
TAKEN: 5th Round #152

Adrian is the only athlete to ever be named Mr. Football and Mr. Basketball in the state of Florida. He was named the Gatorade Florida Football Player of the Year at Southeast High School passing for 3,727 yards and 42 TO's, along with rushing for 765 yards and 8 scores as a senior. He averaged 35 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists a game in basketball. He also was a standout baseball player who played outfield for the American Legion baseball team that won a state championship. As a true freshman for the Seminoles McPherson completed 18 of his 37 passes for 198 yards and 2 TD's. As a sophomore McPherson completed 80 of his 155 passes for 1,073 yards, 12 TD's and 1 pass interception. He rushed for 180 yards on 48 carries as a sophomore. He was kicked off the Florida State program after allegations of gambling. His first trial ended in a hung jury. He arranged a plea bargain agreement and he pleaded no contest to gambling and theft charges and was given 30 months of probation. Adrian enrolled a short time at Murray State, but left and he was not allowed to attend Tennessee State by the NCM. Chose to sign with the Indiana Firebirds of the Arena Football League. McPherson had a super 2004 season completing 237 of his 397 passes for a completion rate of 59.7%, 3,297 passing yards, 61 TD's and 5 pass interceptions. He also rushed for 259 yards and 19 TD's. Was drafted by the Nashville Kats of the AFL in the dispersal draft, but he opted to put his name in the 2005 NFL draft. Adrian ran a (4.72) 40-yard dash time at the Combine workouts and scored a 26 on the Wonderlic test.

Adrian is a superb athlete, with a great combination of height, strength, arm strength and athletic ability. He is extremely mobile and he has the ability to buy time with his quick feet Throws the ball well on the run. He has tremendous arm strength and he can put the ball in real tight spots. With his foot speed, he is a real threat as a runner. Very strong athlete, who has done 26 reps of 225 pounds. Is working out with former NFL-standout QB. Warren Moon and he has upgraded his overall passing skills. Raw quarterback prospect, who needs plenty of work on his passing techniques and foot work. Needs work on upgrading his touch and accuracy skills. Adrian has worked hard to get bigger and stronger. Has some serious character questions to be answered about the gambling allegations. Maturity, football intelligence and his ability to quickly pick up the NFL defensive schemes are still in question. Despite his lack of experience and his off-the-field problems, his size, arm strength and pure athletic ability will convince some team to select him.

3rd Round Pick Alfred Fincher's write-up



From Mike Detillier's Draft Report 2005

ALFRED FINCHER - ILB
Connecticut

6-1, 242
SPEED: (4.69)
RATING: 17.89
TAKEN: 3rd Round #82

Fincher earned Gridiron Club of Massachusetts AII-State honors as a senior at Norwood High School. Alfred played in 11 games and he was in on 10 tackles and 2 tackles for losses as a freshman. In 2002 Fincher started every game at MLB and he recorded 92 tackles, 10 1/2 tackles for losses, 1 1/2 QB sacks and 1 pass break-up. Fincher earned 1st team All-Independent honors as a junior and he started all 12 games at middle linebacker. In 2003 Fincher was in on 115 tackles, 11 tackles for losses, 1 1/2 QB sacks, 1 pass interception and 3 pass break-ups. Fincher earned 1st team All-Big East Conference honors as a senior. He led the team in tackles in 2004 and he recorded 121 tackles, averaged 11.9 tackles per game, 12 tackles for losses and he forced 5 fumbles. Alfred was the co-team MVP for Connecticut in 2004.

Fincher really emerged as a top inside force on the defensive side of the football as a junior and especially as a senior for the Huskies. Alfred is a tough, hard-nosed performer in the middle and he is a top flight run stopper. He fills in the gaps extremely well and he does a 1st rate job shedding off and playing off blocks at the point of attack. Very intense player, who has a red hot motor and he gives great effort on each snap. He displays good range and he covers the field extremely well from side to side. Alfred has above-average foot speed and quickness. Very physical player, who is also a sure open field tackler. He has upgraded his pass coverage skills and techniques, but he still needs work with his foot work and his play recognition skills versus the pass. Outstanding leader, both on and off the field. Young player who will not turn 22 years old until August 15th. Fincher is not a super fast or a super quick athlete, but he makes up for it with taking very few false steps to the football. Alfred needs to learn how to use his arms and hands in a more effective manner when trying to shed off blockers. He is also taking a big step up on the competition ladder, but he does have the smarts and football instincts to excel in the league. Fincher is a blue-collar, "just get it done" type linebacker, who has excellent football instincts and he keeps going until the whistle blows on defense. Fincher ran a (4.74) 40-yard dash time and he did 25 reps of 225 pounds at the Combine workouts in Indianapolis.

2nd round pick Josh Bullocks write-up



From Mike Detilliers Draft Report 2005

JOSH BULLOCK - Safety
NEBRASKA

6-0, 208
SPEED: (4.52)
RATING: 18.56
TAKEN: 2nd Round #40

Josh's brother, Daniel, is a strong safety for the Cornhuskers. Josh and Daniel are cousins of former U.S. Olympic gold medalist Evelyn Ashford. Josh was a top-flight running back and cornerback at Hixson High School in Tennessee. He also excelled in track and field and he competed on the 4x100 and the 4x400-meter relay teams, placing second in the 4x400 in the state meets as a senior. Bullocks was redshirted in 2001. Josh started 5 games in 2002 and he was in on 48 tackles, 3 pass break-ups and 1 pass interception. Bullocks became a full-time starter at free safety for the Comhuskers in 2003 and he was in on 49 tackles, 7 pass break-ups and he set a school and Big-12 Conference record with 10 pass interceptions. Josh earned 1st team All Big-12 Conference honors as a sophomore. Josh earned 2nd team All Big-12 Conference honors as a junior. In 2004 Bullocks was in on 63 tackles, 2 tackles for losses, 7 pass break-ups and 2 pass interceptions. Josh announced in early January that he was giving up his senior season of college football to turn pro early. He finished 2nd in Nebraska school history with 13 pass interceptions during his career. Josh put on a very impressive performance at the Combine workouts in Indy. He registered a (4.47) 40-yard dash time, he posted a 37 1/2-inch vertical leap, a 9-10 broad jump and he did 13 reps of 225 pounds.

Bullocks is a top flight free safety prospect, who has excellent athletic ability and foot speed. He has excellent range and ball reaction skills. Bullocks has quick diagnostic skills and he has excellent closing speed with the ball in flight. Josh has long arms and a huge reach to knock away potential completions. Bullocks has sure hands and he displays a good burst out of his cuts. He has very fluid movement skills and he is a top flight centerfielder on defense. Bullocks has excellent leaping and timing skills. Josh will come up quickly to help out in run support, but he is more effective as a cover man than as a run defender. He is not real physical at the point of attack and he is sometimes a little slow to fill up the running lanes gaps. Josh needs to hit the weight-room harder and upgrade his overall strength. While he has excellent foot speed and coverage skills, he is going to lose some battles going up against much bigger and stronger receivers downfield. Josh is a real ballhawk, who has quick reaction skills and football instincts against the pass. Bullocks has many of the same physical traits and playmaking skills of former Cornhusker and current Chicago Bears free safety Mike Brown

1st round pick Jamaal Brown's write-up



From Mike Detillier's Draft Report 2005

JAMMAL BROWN - OT
OKLAHOMA

6-4 1/2, 317
SPEED: (5.28)
RATING: 19.15

TAKEN: 1st Round #13 Jammal was considered one of the top defensive tackle prospects in the nation when he came out of MacArthur High School in Oklahoma. Brown was a partial qualifier in 2000, but he was cleared by the NCAA to play. Brown was moved to the offensive line, but he suffered a knee injury in fall practices and was redshirted in 2000. Brown shared starting time in 2001 at right offensive tackle. He became a full-time starter at right tackle in 2002 and he earned 1st Team All Big-12 honors as a sophomore. Brown started every game at right tackle in 2003 and he earned 1st Team All Big-12 honors and some AII-American recognition. He graded out the best among all Sooner linemen in 2003. Brown again was a dominant performer along the Sooner offensive line as a senior. He earned 1st Team All Big-12 honors and 1st Team All-American regards as a senior. Jammal was the winner of the 2004 Outland Trophy Award, given to college football's best interior lineman.

Brown has excellent size and he displays good athletic ability and movement skills. For a huge man Brown is exceptionally quick footed. Experienced starter who has grown and gotten better each and every season at Oklahoma. Jammal has a wide frame and he knows how to use his big body and long arms to the fullest. Normally plays on balance and he has the movement skills to be effective on the move. Does a nice job pulling out and on trap-plays. Agile athlete, who has a strong hand punch and he has really upgraded his overall pass protection skills. For a player that was recruited as a defensive lineman and still in need of work, he rarely will lose one-on-one battles with defenders. While Jammal has very good size and athletic skills, he is not known to be a very tough or aggressive performer out on the field. Brown is more of a finesse-type performer, than a real physical interior force. Does not do a good job finishing off his blocks and he has a tendency to fall off his blocks. Jammal needs to stay lower and get under the pads of his opponent in better fashion. Needs to continue to upgrade his overall pass blocking skills and become more aware in blitz pick-up situations. Must fall to a real stern offensive line coach that will get the very most out of his skills and upgrade his overall technical skills. Jammal had a very impressive Combine workout running a (5.08) 40-yard dash time and he posted a 31 1/2-inch vertical leap. Brown scored a 12 on the Wonderlic test.

Talented big man, who has the skills and athletic ability to be a real standout offensive right tackle in the NFL, but you would love to see him develop more of an aggressive "take-charge" attitude out on the field. Brown has a strong shot to be the only the second OU offensive lineman in the last 45 years to be selected in the first round of the draft joining Stocker McDougle – (2000 Detroit Lions.

He took him out because he thought he wouldn't even be selected due to his injury. but the write-ups were written much earlier. Before his injury Mike D had Lyman as one of the best WR's available for the 2004 draft.