Greg C.
Cheesehead
From Sports Illusrated's web site, here are some "risers" in this year's draft. Which ones sound good for the Packers?
1. Joe Klopfenstein, TE, Colorado: Scouts are comparing the Colorado tight end to Todd Heap more and more each day. What really excites them is the way this pass-catching specialist has improved his blocking. Klopfenstein is poised to break into the early part of the second round.
2. Chad Jackson, WR, Florida: After putting on a clinic at the combine, Jackson has blown people away with interviews in recent weeks and wrestled away the top spot at wide receiver from Ohio State's Santonio Holmes.
3. Charles Spencer, G, Pittsburgh: The big-bodied blocker has caught the attention of several teams, including the Cowboys. In Spencer, teams see an athletic blocker with unlimited upside who can be used at tackle or guard.
4. Kamerion Wimbley, DE, Florida State: Teams compare Wimbley to a bigger version of John Abraham. A fringe first-round choice in early January, Wimbley could jump into the draft's first 15 selections.
5. Greg Jennings, WR, Western Michigan: The ultra-productive wideout has received a lot of attention recently. Teams that employ the West Coast offense love his ability to pick up yards after the catch, while conventional coaches admire his reliability. In a weak receiver draft, Jennings is moving toward the second round.
6. Joe Toledo, OT, Washington: Teams are becoming more enamored with the former tight end who moved to tackle last season. At 330 pounds, Toledo was hampered with a high ankle sprain last season. Scouts don't want to let him slip through the cracks as they did his college teammate Khalif Barnes last year.
7. Philip Alexander, DE, Duke: An athletic pass rusher whose college career was beset by injury, Alexander recently weighed in at 274 pounds and ran a 4.80 40. He completed 25 reps on the bench and is getting late-round consideration as a 3-4 end.
8. Brandon Guillory, OLB, Louisiana-Monroe: A 'tweener who projects to rush linebacker in a 3-4 alignment, Guillory had a sensational workout in front of scouts. Weighing near 255 pounds, he clocked a 4.55 in his 40 and touched the wall at 37 inches in the vertical jump. He is another player getting late-round consideration.
9. Justin Holland, QB, Colorado State: After a terrific senior season, the Rams quarterback felt snubbed after not receiving an invite to the combine. Holland threw the ball well during Colorado State's pro day, showing a strong arm and solid accuracy.
10. Quinton Ganther, RB, Utah: The productive back has impressed scouts with his poise and maturity in recent interviews. Considered a middle-round pick, he could make a run toward the first day.
My own two cents: The most intriguing one is that guard, #3, unless someone takes him in the first round. (I have no idea where he's projected.) Although I'm against drafting a TE in the first round (Bubba is earning top dollar at that position), maybe that TE from Colorado (#1 on this list) would be worth a second round pick. Also, that receiver from Western Michigan could be a good pick if he falls to the third round. Unfortunately #'s 7 and 8 are projected as outside linebackers in a 3-4 alignment, so they don't look like they would fit into the Packers' scheme. The DE at #4 does not look likely to fall to the second round.
I don't know much about the college talent out there, and would like to hear from somebody who does.
1. Joe Klopfenstein, TE, Colorado: Scouts are comparing the Colorado tight end to Todd Heap more and more each day. What really excites them is the way this pass-catching specialist has improved his blocking. Klopfenstein is poised to break into the early part of the second round.
2. Chad Jackson, WR, Florida: After putting on a clinic at the combine, Jackson has blown people away with interviews in recent weeks and wrestled away the top spot at wide receiver from Ohio State's Santonio Holmes.
3. Charles Spencer, G, Pittsburgh: The big-bodied blocker has caught the attention of several teams, including the Cowboys. In Spencer, teams see an athletic blocker with unlimited upside who can be used at tackle or guard.
4. Kamerion Wimbley, DE, Florida State: Teams compare Wimbley to a bigger version of John Abraham. A fringe first-round choice in early January, Wimbley could jump into the draft's first 15 selections.
5. Greg Jennings, WR, Western Michigan: The ultra-productive wideout has received a lot of attention recently. Teams that employ the West Coast offense love his ability to pick up yards after the catch, while conventional coaches admire his reliability. In a weak receiver draft, Jennings is moving toward the second round.
6. Joe Toledo, OT, Washington: Teams are becoming more enamored with the former tight end who moved to tackle last season. At 330 pounds, Toledo was hampered with a high ankle sprain last season. Scouts don't want to let him slip through the cracks as they did his college teammate Khalif Barnes last year.
7. Philip Alexander, DE, Duke: An athletic pass rusher whose college career was beset by injury, Alexander recently weighed in at 274 pounds and ran a 4.80 40. He completed 25 reps on the bench and is getting late-round consideration as a 3-4 end.
8. Brandon Guillory, OLB, Louisiana-Monroe: A 'tweener who projects to rush linebacker in a 3-4 alignment, Guillory had a sensational workout in front of scouts. Weighing near 255 pounds, he clocked a 4.55 in his 40 and touched the wall at 37 inches in the vertical jump. He is another player getting late-round consideration.
9. Justin Holland, QB, Colorado State: After a terrific senior season, the Rams quarterback felt snubbed after not receiving an invite to the combine. Holland threw the ball well during Colorado State's pro day, showing a strong arm and solid accuracy.
10. Quinton Ganther, RB, Utah: The productive back has impressed scouts with his poise and maturity in recent interviews. Considered a middle-round pick, he could make a run toward the first day.
My own two cents: The most intriguing one is that guard, #3, unless someone takes him in the first round. (I have no idea where he's projected.) Although I'm against drafting a TE in the first round (Bubba is earning top dollar at that position), maybe that TE from Colorado (#1 on this list) would be worth a second round pick. Also, that receiver from Western Michigan could be a good pick if he falls to the third round. Unfortunately #'s 7 and 8 are projected as outside linebackers in a 3-4 alignment, so they don't look like they would fit into the Packers' scheme. The DE at #4 does not look likely to fall to the second round.
I don't know much about the college talent out there, and would like to hear from somebody who does.
Lot's of possible talent in that list and most will not be on the top of everyon'e board. That should give T.T. plenty of opportunity to pick and choose, hopefully wisely. GB could well come out of this draft with perhaps as many as three impact players. I have no problem with a another TE; someone with a bit of speed and hands. That would certainly open up the possibilities of a three TE offensive alignment. The defenses would rarely know whether it was run or pass and would have to make serious adjustments.
