Player Profile: Lydon Murtha Nebraka Offensive Tackle

Pros: Murtha had a great Combine. He ran the 40 in 4.89, at 6’7’’, 309 pounds. He is a very impressive physical specimen with rare athleticism, which allows him to get into position quickly. He has above-average mobility.

Cons: Murtha plays too high and is often overpowered by the bull rush. He could add some weight and definitely needs to add strength before he is ready to play against NFL defenders. Some of his harsher critics describe him as being a bit soft. The former Cornhusker will not win many one-on-one battles or physically dominate his opponent. Not overly productive as a collegian, Murtha is likely limited to playing right tackle at the next level. Durability is a major concern for the Nebraska product who used a medical red-shirt as a true freshman and missed four games in each of the past two seasons due to a foot injury.

Scout’s Take: He is a decent prospect that shows a lot of upside. If he can hit the weights and become more of a physical force, he could be a pleasant second-day pick for an NFL team. However, if he is not able to become stronger, he will not last long in the NFL.

Photo Credit: College Press Box (Nebraska)

Player Profile: Luis Vasquez Texas Tech Guard

Pros: This former Red Raider is big and nasty at 6’5’’, a little over 330 pounds. Not many offensive linemen possess his sheer strength. He shows decent speed getting to the second level. Vasquez was an effective blocker for Tech throughout his four-year career, particularly at protecting his quarterback in the pass-happy offense.

Cons: He played in an offense at Tech that was focused on the pass and needs to work on his blocks in the running game. Vasquez lacks ideal athleticism, mobility and speed, which will limit the amount of teams that are interested in his services. He is raw and will need to learn quickly to stay on an NFL roster, having played much of his career in Lubbok with his hand off the ground. He missed time as a senior (ankle sprain), which will cause teams to take an extra look in terms of his durability.

Scout’s Take: He was recognized by the Big XII in three of his four seasons for his stellar play. He may take a little longer than others to establish himself in a similar fashion at the next level, but the tools are there for this Texas Tech product to earn himself a starting role with a year or two of experience.

Photo Credit: College Press Box (Texas Tech)

Player Profile: Antoine Caldwell Alabama Center

Pros: Caldwell was a two-time team captain and the leader of Alabama’s dominating offensive line. During his four years at Bama, Caldwell started at tackle, guard, and center showing great instincts and awareness. He was very durable and never missed a game due to injury with well over 40 starts under his belt as a member of the Crimson Tide. Caldwell is a strong pass protector and is tough, not at all afraid to mix it up. The center is also an instinctive player who understands blocking schemes, can make line calls, and pick up a teammate when need be.

Cons: Despite taking good angles, he struggles to get down the line. He doesn’t show the quickness and agility needed to dominate at the pro level. He will have to bulk up in the weight room and maintain his quickness to be a starter in the league. Even with his experience at tackle, he is best suited to play center or guard in the pros. Caldwell will struggle with quick defensive tackles who use their athleticism to get into the backfield. He needs to get stronger, improve his balance, and do a better job of bending at the knees. While he is renown for his leadership skills, the center comes in with some character questions as he served a four game suspension for a textbook scandal in 2007.

Scout’s Take: Caldwell earned his college degree in three years. He is a bright young man and possesses the intelligence and leadership qualities (won the 2008 Mal Moore Leadership Award at Alabama) to head the offensive line if the physical part of his game catches up. Caldwell has the ability to be a solid starter for years to come but lacks the potential to climb to that Pro Bowl level, which is why he will likely have to wait until day two to hear his name called. He's likely to go somewhere between rounds three and five.

Photo Credit: SEC Sports Media

Player Profile: Sen'Derrick Marks Auburn DT

Pros: Marks has a short, stocky frame which he uses to his advantage against blockers. The former Tiger won’t overpower many offensive linemen head-to-head, but possesses the ability to disengage and make plays—he does a good job of not letting blockers get in close. He is very quick, plays with balance and shows a good burst to get into the backfield. He was productive throughout his SEC career and had a knack for making an impact as a penetrator. Has upside as a pass rusher either from defensive tackle position or potentially as a defensive end in a 3-4 scheme. His versatility will allow whomever drafts him to move him around along the defensive line.

Cons: Marks is a little smaller than NFL scouts desire from top rated defensive tackles. He will not be able to handle double teams at the NFL level and while he plays with a good motor on most plays, he is noticeably tired after doing so, making durability a concern. Marks missed time and was affected by injuries as sophomore and a junior, not to mention the fact that he red-shirted his true freshman season due to an injury. He could have used another year to work on his endurance and technique. The Auburn product will probably need to play on a team that uses a rotation on the D-Line.

Scouts Take: Marks shows good athletic ability for a 300-pound defensive lineman and he is considered one of the top defensive tackles in this year's class. He will also rank high among 3-4 teams who are looking to fill the defensive end position. If he would have gone back for another year at Auburn and worked on a few areas of his game, he could have been a first-round pick in next year's draft. He was at one point considered a late first rounder this year, but will more than likely land sometime in the second or third round.

Photo Credit: Todd J. Van Emst (Auburn University Athletic Dept. Photographer)

Player Profile: Mohammad Massaquoi Georgia WR

Pros: Massaquoi has good size and solid straight-line speed. He plays with a high football IQ and understands how to find the soft spots in coverages. The former Bulldog has a knack for making the tough catches and shows great ability on jump balls. Despite his lack of pure speed, he was a deep threat in college. He stepped his game up in his senior year and was a team leader.

Cons: Massaquoi runs high, and lacks the explosion needed to consistently get open at the NFL level. He is an average route runner that doesn’t show great ability to break tackles after the catch. While Massaquoi makes tough catches, he drops a lot of the easy ones and doesn’t look extremely comfortable catching passes in stride. In general, consistency was an issue with this Georgia product and considering he’s not going to wow you with his measurables, he needs to address that at the next level.

Scouts Take: After earning freshman All-American honors in his first season Between the Hedges, Massaquoi took a step back in his sophomore and junior campaigns before finishing his college career with a strong senior season. Following a promising start at the Senior Bowl, an injury cost him the opportunity to prove something to scouts. He doesn’t have the great athletic ability or elusiveness NFL teams look for, but he does play smart and hard. The North Carolina native understands the game and is known as a hard worker. He should be able to improve his route running, but teams will be more concerned with his hands at the next level. He was a productive player that was overshadowed by the true freshman star, A.J. Green, last year. Look for Massaquoi to land somewhere in the mid-rounds. He could develop into a solid possession receiver in the NFL with a ceiling of a number two receiver at the next level.

Photo Credit: SEC Sports Media

Player Profile: Tyson Jackson LSU DE

Pros: Jackson has the size and strength to play in a 4-3 or a 3-4, so unlike many of the ends in this college class, the former Bayou Bengal has no questions to answer in terms of his ability to play along the line of scrimmage. He does a great job of blowing up plays in the backfield, with his play against the run the strength of his game. Jackson is a disciplined football player, who sticks to his responsibilities and doesn’t lose containment. He shows the ability to handle double teams and still be a force at the line of scrimmage. Jackson is a very solid tackler and shows enough quickness for a man of his size to be able to chase runners and quarterbacks down from behind. He is tough, instinctive and has also proven to be very durable throughout his career in Baton Rouge. Jackson is a well-spoken young man, understands how to play within the team concept and comes with the reputation as a good leader.

Cons: Jackson lacks the high-end speed and quickness to be a dominating pass rusher. He had just 8.5 sacks over the past two seasons and simply won’t be a playmaker coming off the edge at the next level, which many teams look for when using a first round pick for a defensive end (particularly those who employ a 4-3 scheme). He struggles to break down in one-on-one situations and can be beat by quick backs. As purely a 4-3 end, Jackson has second or third round value.

Scouts Take: With more and more teams switching to the 3-4 defense, Jackson is the top prospect for those in need of a big force at defensive end. His value is playing on the interior, using his stoutness to stuff the run and hold down the fort. He should be able to start from day one and command double teams, which will free up linebackers to make plays the same way an offensive line sets up a star tailback. He won’t fill the stat sheet or show up on highlight reels, but he will do his job and allow others to shine. His value goes far beyond the numbers, especially for a 4-3 team, which should make him a mid-first round pick. Teams that play the 4-3 may look at the LSU product as someone who can shift inside on passing downs and play some defensive tackle.

Photo Credit: SEC Sports Media

Player Profile: Josh Freeman QB Kansas St.

Pros: Freeman has the size, athletic ability, and the type of huge arm NFL teams salivate over. At close to 6’6’’ and 250 pounds, he is the biggest quarterback among the top quarterbacks in this class. For being as big as he is, he moves very well when there is space in front of him. He is tough for defenders to bring down and will break arm tackles. Besides his running ability, Freeman is impressive throwing the ball. He has the arm to make all of the NFL throws. He improved a lot between his sophomore year and junior year. Durability was not an issue in college and he has the size of a classic pocket passer.

Cons: Freeman definitely has the physical ability, but what isn’t as obvious as his cannon arm is whether or not he also possesses the intangibles needed to be consistent or great at the NFL level. He make some poor decisions and forced throws as a Wildcat. He also needs to work at his ability to read coverages, his touch and be more consistent with his accuracy. Freeman is very raw and will need coaching up when it comes to his mechanics, at times failing to do simple things like set his feet or square his shoulders when throwing. If these problems aren’t corrected, turnovers will be an issue at the next level.

Scouts take: It’s easy to fall in love with Freeman’s big frame and huge arm—he possesses arguably the most upside of any signal caller in this draft. He is viewed as one of the top three quarterbacks in the class and considering he has yet to hit his full potential as a game manager, he could end up at the head of the class when all things are said and done. But Freeman is nowhere ready to start for an NFL team. If he is thrown out on the field next year he could really struggle and it could hurt his ability for the future. One more year at K-State to work on his mechanics wouldn’t have hurt his future as a pro at all. Freeman is not a “product of the system” he played in, unlike most Big XII teams, the Wildcats didn’t rely on the spread alone and he wasn’t surrounded by the same type of weapons that a Graham Harrell or Sam Bradford were. Freeman lined up under center and in shotgun. Despite only playing three years, he has a lot of experience having played virtually since day one and has showed enough potential to land in the first round. Freeman is far from ready to lead an NFL offense, however no less so than 2007 No. 1 overall pick JaMarcus Russell was when he came into the league following his junior season.

Photo Credit: College Press Box (Kansas St.)

Player Profile: Jason Smith Baylor OT

Pros: Smith shines as a great pass blocker—he former tight end has the necessary long arms to keep pass rushers at bay. He shows great balance, nimble feet, is very quick off the snap and he gets to the second level to create big plays, especially when pulling. Smith plays hard and has a dominating presence on the field, which is why he is viewed as possessing the ideal skill set to protect the quarterback’s backside. He is still learning and might have the most upside of any offensive linemen in the Class of 2009.

Cons: Smith is not as experienced as the other top offensive linemen and is a bit raw, not surprising considering he did not start his career at Baylor playing in a three-point stance. For a former tight end, he doesn’t move from side-to-side as well as one might anticipate. There is a lot of speculation about whether he has the upper body strength to handle bull rushers and he doesn’t dominate as a run blocker as much scouts would like. The former Bear could use some time to fully learn the proper techniques of the position. Particularly when running blocking, he needs to do a better job of bending his knees. An MCL injury caused Smith to miss five games in his junior season and will be something teams will look at—making durability a slight concern.

Scouts Take: In a very stacked offensive tackle class, Smith has the best combination of athletic ability and upside. He is exactly the type of player that teams want to build a line around. Not many players’ draft stock have gone up as much as Smith’s since the start of the season. Once considered a mid-to-late first rounder, Smith has moved into the top four and could possibly be the number one overall pick on April 25th. After starting his college career at tight end, the Baylor product has made a nice transition to the O-Line but is still learning this. Because of this Smith has tremendous upside. It may not happen in his rookie campaign, but he should be able to play at a high level for years to come.

Photo Credit: College Press Box (Baylor)

Player Profile: Emanuel Cook South Carolina S

Pros: Cook is a strong open-field tackler that loves to light up ball carriers. He shows good leverage and lateral quickness. Cook reads the play quickly and reacts to run-pass almost immediately. He has a knack for forcing fumbles. While playing the run is his forte, Cook does possess solid ball skills. At South Carolina, he was very productive—a regular in the starting lineup since his freshman campaign.

Cons: He lacks the size most teams look for in a strong safety. He does not excel in coverage and also lacks ideal speed. Many question his ability to cover ground as the last line of defense. Cook had some off-the-field issues at South Carolina and was suspended for the final game of the season. He was arrested on a weapons charge (dropped) and had academic issues.

Scouts Take: Cook played in a different scheme at South Carolina, one where he did not have to cover receivers very much and could focus primarily on run support on first and second downs, which is where he flourished. He was a three-year starter before leaving early for the Draft. He is small for the strong safety position and lacks the quickness to play free. He will need to become more mature on and off the field but definitely has the potential to be a solid NFL player due to his great tackling ability. He could be a special teams standout and work his way into the starting lineup next year. He has third- or fourth-round potential.

Photo Credit: SEC Sports Media

Player Profile: Asher Allen Georgia CB

Pros: Allen is explosive and shows great agility. The former Bulldog plays bigger than his 5’9” frame and he does not shy away from bigger receivers. Allen is a solid tackler despite his lack of size. He has a lot of potential for improvement. He’s a very instinctive player, who steps on to the field looking to make things happen. One also has to love his toughness, as the corner did not miss time as a junior despite a broken hand. Allen has good acceleration and should have success in the NFL retuning kicks setting a school record with 690 kick return yards as a sophomore. Character and work ethic are pluses.

Cons: Could have benefited greatly with another year at Georgia. He relies too much on his natural ability to make plays and often goes for the pick instead of the deflection. Ball skills are a weakness, as he shows poor hands, does not catch passes smoothly and allows potential interceptions to bounce off his body up into the air. Allen shows too much confidence against taller receivers and loses too often on jump balls in the end zone—he is susceptible to giving up the big play.

Scouts Take: Allen is an intriguing prospect because of his natural ability and potential to get better. It will take time for him to settle down and learn the proper techniques. Despite his bad hands on defense, he fields kicks cleanly and should be an instant upgrade for the special teams. Asher should go off the board early on day two. The former Bulldog contributed from day one in Athens and should be a starter in the near future with the potential to be an above average player in the NFL.

Photo Credit: SEC Sports Media

Player Profile: Macho Harris Virginia Tech CB

Pros: Harris is a natural football player and is solid at most aspects of the game. He has great instincts and awareness on the field; a solid all-around corner that loves to make big hits on receivers and running backs. He looks extremely comfortable in zone and reads the quarterback very well. Even though he does not have great acceleration, Harris shows big-time playing making ability with the ball in his hands. He is elusive and makes quick, fluid cuts with great vision. He is a dangerous return man that has experience playing wide receiver.

Cons: He lacks the open field speed scouts love corners to have. He can be overly aggressive both in coverage and tackling. Will jump short routes he shouldn’t, and often goes for the knock out hit instead of the sure tackle. Definitely needs to play in a zone coverage scheme. He could end up being moved to free safety due to his lack of speed and quickness in coverage.

Scouts Take: Harris is a gifted playmaker, racking up 15 interceptions over the last three years at Virginia Tech. He plays with the swagger and knowledge NFL teams love defensive backs to have, and opposing teams fear. Despite his lack of speed, the former Hokie is comfortable with the ball in his hands and will at least get a shot as a returner—a potentially dynamic playmaker. If he is put in the right defensive scheme, he could develop into a star corner for his NFL team. If he struggles at corner, he has the ability to move to free safety and could be a ball-hawk. Harris has second-round ability, but could fall to later rounds because of his lack of measurables. The team that drafts him will have some work to do and decisions to make, but they will be getting one of the best all-around defensive backs in this draft.

Photo Credit: David Knachel, Virginia Tech Athletics Communications

Player Profile: Captain Munnerlyn South Carolina CB

Pros: This Captain has good speed and quickness, a smooth runner with the agility to make effortless cuts. The former Gamecock is very athletic and uses his explosion well, both in coverage and run support. He is a very solid corner that shows playmaking ability as a returner. He did well in zone coverage, and with his physical tools he should also be able to handle playing man-to-man. Munnerlyn possesses very fluid hips and excellent agility.

Cons: At just a tad under 5’9’’, Munnerlyn is going to have to prove himself against bigger receivers whenever he steps on the field on Sundays. Despite his quickness, Munnerlyn can be beat by crisp route runners and double moves. He lacks the playmaking ability that a lot of corners in this class offer, with zero interceptions last year and just five in his college career. Durability was an issue at South Carolina for him and could limit his production at the next level. Munnerlyn was benched after missing a meeting this past season, something that will raise a red flag with many franchises.

Scouts Take: Munnerlyn has great agility and open field speed, but he is still raw. His lack of size really hurts his draft stock. He should not start at either outside corner position in his first year, but could excel as the team's nickel back because of his sure tackling ability. He also has great potential as a punt and kick returner. Look for him to land somewhere between the late second round to early fourth round. This early entry is a work in progress, who could end up being a real day two find.

Photo Credit: SEC Sports Media

Player Profile: Vontae Davis Illinois CB

Pros: Davis plays corner with the body of a power running back and the speed of a scat back. He shows unbelievable quickness filling on runs and has great recovery speed. He is a tough physical player that never shies away from a big hit opportunity. The DC Native plays the game with good leverage and turns smoothly with no loss of speed. Davis is very hard for receivers to block—he could be the most physically gifted player in the entire cornerback class. Durability is a plus, as he did not miss time due to injury throughout his three-year career.

Cons: Despite his exceptional talent, Davis is not a huge playmaker. If he were the playmaker Alphonso Smith, Macho Harris or DJ Moore was, he would be a top-five overall pick. In addition, he makes too many mental mistakes. Davis often jumps short routes and flies up on play action, giving up plays over the top. He does not play with a good knowledge of the game and is often overconfident in his ability. He looks stiff at times and needs to learn to accept advice from the coaching staff. We did not see the progress one would hope to see from his sophomore to junior seasons, particularly for a player who decided to forgo his final season of college football. Was called out because of his underachieving junior campaign.

Scouts Take: Vontae Davis is like his older brother (Vernon Davis) in both good and bad ways. Both are unbelievable athletes that make the game look extremely easy at times. With great strength and speed, both can overmatch most of their opponents. Unfortunately, both have relied on their natural ability too often—that works at the high school level and to some extent even college, but now they must learn to take direction and stick to their responsibilities or they will be nothing more than average players, with physical tools most players only dream of. The former Fighting Illini flashed his unbelievable speed in the 2007 Rose Bowl—he was a good 10 to 15 yards behind the speedy USC tailback Joe McKnight when McKnight broke free on a screen. It looked like an easy USC touchdown, but Davis flew into the picture and snatched McKnight down. The play still resulted in a huge gain but it showed that Davis has the ability to make plays no one else on the field can make. When focused and driven, the sky is the limit for the Illinois’ product. There is no question the physical tools are there, but he must work on the mental part of the game if he wants to be an NFL star. Despite his mental weaknesses at times, Davis will be a first round pick and possibly the first corner off the board. Davis is the definition of a “Boom or Bust” prospect.

Photo Credit: Illinois Sports Information

Player Profile: Hakeem Nick North Carolina WR

Pros: Nicks has incredible hands and can catch any pass thrown his way—if the ball is within arms reach, it’s his. Not only does he make the catch, he immediately turns up field and looks to score. He is strong and can break several tackles in only a few steps. This former Tar Heels is one of the toughest receivers to bring down. He looks very smooth, both in routes and when running with the ball. With great vision and field awareness he has the ability to cut back and turn a short catch into a long gain. He might be the best all around receiver in a stacked class when it comes to hands, route running, blocking, and running after the catch. He is a physical player with great agility and awareness.

Cons: Hicks is not extremely fast and will struggle to gain separation against the extremely quick corners in the NFL. He doesn’t have the explosion that the other first round receiving prospects possess so he won’t consistently be a down the field threat, which could limit his big play potential. He could play harder at times and often looks to rely strictly on ability.

Scouts Take: Hicks was very productive at North Carolina and is the best of the three Tar Heel receivers entering the draft. He had 1,222 yards and 12 touchdowns last season, and saved the best performance of his career for the last game he played, against West Virginia in the Meineke Car Care Bowl. He made two unbelievable catches and finished the game with eight catches, 217 yards, and three touchdowns. After the game, Nicks flew up the draft boards and now looks to land in the mid-first or very early second round. With so many teams from 20 to 32 needing a solid possession receiver that can make plays, Nicks should play well and earn a starting role on a good team. He says he tries to play like the Cards' Anquan Boldin and it definitely shows with his great hands and ability to break tackles. He isn’t the homerun threat that Darius Heyward-Bey, Percy Harvin or Jeremy Maclin are, but he makes up for it by running great routes and playing with a tough, hard nosed mentality. He could be anywhere from the fourth to sixth receiver taken, but that doesn’t mean he can’t have the biggest impact of all as a rookie.

Photo Credit: College Press Box (UNC)

Player Profile: Percy Harvin WR Florida

Pros: Harvin is extremely explosive. He can make multiple cuts and never loses speed when doing so. He lined up in the slot, split, running back, and even at quarterback for the direct snap. He has great lateral quickness and strength to beat press coverage. He stands 5’11’’ but runs with great leverage, staying very low to the ground, and uses that to make himself a small target. The former Gator has excellent vision and knows how to avoids big hits. He proved he is very tough and dedicated when he stayed at Florida to rehab his badly sprained ankle as the team left for Christmas break. He played in the National Championship game at less than 100 percent and was a huge factor as the Gators took home the Championship. Despite never returning a kick at in college, Harvin will have no trouble handling return duties for his NFL team.

Cons: Lacks the traditional height NFL teams look for. He did not run very complicated routes in Florida’s spread offense, so there are questions about his ability to handle the type of routes needed for NFL. Much of his best work as a collegian wasn’t when he was lined up as a receiver, but in the offensive backfield. He doesn’t offer a lot when blocking and that probably won’t change at the next level. Durability is a huge concern after he suffered hip, ankle, knee and heel injuries in college. It seems as if he has an x-amount of hits his body can absorb before he inevitably is injured.

Scouts Take: In a very fast SEC conference, Harvin’s speed and quickness stood out both on runs and passes. With the evolution of the spread offense and “wildcat” formations, Harvin is an offensive coordinator's dream. Surrounded by playmakers at Florida, Harvin was the National Champs' most exciting player and when 100 percent arguably their best player. He should be a nice fit for a team that already has big receivers and a solid quarterback. If he is put in the right type of offensive system he should be very effective in a number of ways. He resembles Reggie Bush in the way that he needs to get the ball in space to make people miss. He should show up on the highlight reels several times next season and through out his career. Like Bush, he will need to find his identity and avoid nagging injuries. If he can do so, he will be a dynamic player and a fan favorite. His explosive play and versatility should land him somewhere in the middle of the first round.

Photo Credit: SEC Sports Media

Player Profile: USC S Kevin Ellison

Pros: Despite not having elite speed, Ellison was a big presence, when healthy, for maybe one of the best defenses in college football history. He is a big hitter and a very intelligent player. He played next to Taylor Mays who is a physically-gifted freak at 6’3, 230 pounds and was clocked in the 40 at 4.29 at USC’s spring drills. Mays is definitely the better athlete and NFL prospect, but Ellison matched him when it came to performance on the field. Ellison takes good angles and sticks to his responsibilities to make up for what he lacks in speed.

Cons: At USC he suffered a fractured left leg and three knee injuries that all required surgery. The wear and tear on his legs showed at the Combine when he ran a horrible time of 4.8 in the 40. That time is slow for a linebacker but unheard of for an NFL safety. He was never a big playmaker and had just five career interceptions. Often he would go for the knock out hit instead of the turnover. Sometimes he would shy away from attacking the ball, instead allowing the receiver to catch the pass in exchange for the easy tackle.

Scout’s Take: After playing safety in college, it looks like the 6’1, 227-pound Ellison will likely need to move to outside linebacker if he wants a shot of getting on an NFL field. If Ellison had the 4.5 speed scouts want from safeties, he would be a second or third round pick because of his size, intelligence and intimidating presence. Instead he will have to wait until late on day two to hear his name, if he is called at all. He will need to learn a new position so it will take time for him to get on the field as a defensive player. He will need to show potential as a linebacker and contribute on special teams early to have any shot at sticking on a roster. He better hope that his position change works out better than it did for fellow Trojan safety Darnell Bing.

Photo Credit: Long Photography

Player Profile: LSU S Curtis Taylor

Pros: Taylor has prototypical size for the safety position at 6’2”, 208 pounds—he has good bulk and a chiseled frame. It is very easy to notice Taylor on the field because of his big body and his ability to fly around. He reads and reacts quickly and has good speed to fill on runs. He shows good hands and is capable of making interceptions but more than anything else, NFL teams will be intrigued by Taylor’s ripped upper body and athletic ability—he passes the eye test.

Cons: He can be overly aggressive and relies too much on his strength and athletic ability to make plays. His quick reaction to runs is often overshadowed by his poor angles and inability to break down in the open field. He has the “hard hitter’s” mentality to fill on runs; therefore he is very vulnerable to play action and will give up big plays over the top. While his hands aren’t an issue, he isn’t a huge ball hawk. NFL scouts will not like the fact that he often goes for the big hit rather than making a play on the ball. He missed three games due to injury and when he returned, his playing time was cut due to younger players stepping up during his time injured.

Scout’s Take: Taylor replaced top-ten pick LaRon Landry after the 2006 season. He was a big part of LSU’s fierce National Championship defense. It looked like he had first day potential if he improved his game in a few areas during the 2008 season, but that did not happen as Taylor made mental mistakes and had trouble wrapping up ball carriers. If he cuts down the mental mistakes, he could be a nice addition to a defense. He should fall somewhere late in day two. More than likely he will make a team as a back up and special teams player. He should do very well covering kicks. With some good coaching and his strong work ethic, Taylor could be a day-two steal for the team that selects him.

Photo Credit: SEC Sports Media

Q&A: Devin Moore, RB, Wyoming

How did your personal combine go?

Moore: It went well I think. I didn’t put up all the numbers that I wanted to, but I think I expressed to the coaches and scouts that I was a competitor and I do have a little talent under my belt and that I am ready for the next level.

You ran 4.38 (40 yd dash), is that correct?

Moore: That was my low number. I think it is going to average out to a 4.41. I’ll play legit on that part, but 4.3 sounds a lot better in my eyes. I am actually planning on participating in Wyoming’s Pro Day and getting that 4.3 just a tad bit lower so I can actually make it official, so to speak.

When is that going to be, Wyoming’s Pro Day?

Moore: March 12th. I am just trying to get my body rested. It was a tough process, just doing all of those drills and going all out on every one of them, it’s a tough process. I’ve never done them all in one day before and my hat’s off to the guys who’ve actually participated in the combine and who’ve actually done well and excelled at those drills...my hat’s off to those guys.

Let me ask you about that vertical jump, thirty five inches--are you going to give Nate Robinson a challenge at the slam dunk contest?

Moore: That’s one of the drills that I want to do over. When my strength and conditioning coach heard about it, he was a little upset. It was a source of pride for him, for me to jump high. I am going to try to boost that to maybe a thirty seven, at least, or thirty eight. I think that would look better in the scouts’ eyes. It would also show that I didn’t rest on the thirty five, that I actually strove to get better in these last couple of weeks that I have coming.

Maybe you can get one of your O-linemen to play Dwight Howard and you can jump over them as a kind of target to get up higher.

Moore: (laughs) That would probably work, but I don’t know if the scouts would allow that, but I will tell you, I will have to get it on camera one day, me throwing down a dunk. I think a lot of guys find it pretty impressive. Maybe with a couple of guys I grew up with in the neighborhood trying to throw it down. It’s been a while though, so I will say I’ll probably look a little uncoordinated in the beginning, but once I get back into the rhythm I could show a couple of people.

Speaking of impressive, you also had 27 reps in the bench press. I would think for a running back that would be pretty satisfying...

Moore: It is satisfying as of right now. I am thinking about doing that over as well. My goal was to hit 30. I knew that a lot of guys weren’t going to think I could I could bench press the 225 lbs a lot. Initially I was going to start of with the bench press so I would have more energy. It came at the end of the workout. I hope the scouts paid attention to that, knowing that I was a little exhausted at times and when it came time to bench. That was just the icing on the cake. It was pretty much the last drill. I gave it everything I had. I wish I could have got to 30, but I am very satisfied with 27.

What do you max out at, in regards to the bench press?

Moore: I could probably do 400 (lbs), my strength and conditioning coach, actually I have two of them-Brian Herzog, who was my old coach, he is no longer with the university and Scott Fenick, it started with him my freshman year-those guys they pushed me to strive for 400 pounds, which is a lot being that I am 190 pounds. I have always talked to my brothers; they are actually a little stronger than I am. They always told me it would be a little hard on my back to lift so much weight. I try to stay in that 390-400 (lbs) range. I try not to go over that.

Representatives for what NFL teams were there at your workout? Who did you talk to? How many teams were there?

Moore: I think 14-16 teams were there. It ranged from the Tennessee Titans to the Buccaneers, the Green Bay Packers, and the Colts. There were a lot of teams that hadn't made it up to Wyoming’s Pro Day in the past. We have had some nice athletes that come out of there; I would like to mention a few: Daris Martin, John Windley, Corey Mace and a guy that I have played ball with, Jovon Bouknight. These guys have attracted scouts up there at times, but not very many. It spoke a lot in regards to how scouts view me right now, to have 14 teams come out when they know I am going to be the only one competing. I feel great about it, but I wish I could have put up better numbers, but at the same time I think I am sitting okay. As long as I am in the top 5 range, I think I will be okay.

Which teams did you speak to and what type of questions did they ask you?

Moore: I spoke to every team that came. A lot of guys were asking about the slot position, am I comfortable with that position as a wide receiver, do I feel like I can catch the ball well...I think I proved that at the end of the workout. They ran me through a couple of catching drills; they had me run down the field to catch balls over my shoulders. That was the Titans and the New York Giants, as well as the Green Bay Packers; they were all interested in seeing me catch the ball. Buffalo wanted to see me catch the ball out of the backfield, they said they were impressed with my bench press, my 40 time and the fact that I weighed 190 lbs and I am able to do certain things. The Colts made sure they spoke with me also. I hate that I may miss a team or two but everyone spoke to me. The Panthers called me on the phone. That was a good feeling, to have a guy call you and talk about the workout as far as being there.

Were you asked about your willingness to play special teams?

Moore: That was the first thing I wanted to express. I wanted to show and let the teams know that I am ready to come in right away and play special teams. That is something I am looking at doing. I hear that’s the key for some guys' success. My agent mentioned Chris Johnson, he told me that he was brought in initially to do kickoff returns and things of that nature. He came in and performed so well they had to keep him at running back. They had to let him tear it up on the field as a running back, linebackers couldn’t catch or guard him out of the back field, and safeties couldn’t tackle him one on one, so once he broke through the first level, it was off to the races. I am looking forward to doing special teams for any team that may be interested in me. That means kickoffs, kick returns, punt coverage or punt returns. I will be willing and ready to do anything and give it my everything.

Overall, how successful do you think this gambit of yours was?

Moore: I think it was okay. I am not overly impressed with myself because I have actually done better numbers before. I really wanted my L drill in the area of 6.4 (seconds), I wasn’t near that time. I will try it again when I get to Wyoming. I hope to improve (on the drills), but overall I think I helped myself. The scouts told me I helped myself and all I can do is take that and run with it. I wish the guys who were at the combine good luck and the guys who participated in their pro days, I wish them good luck. Hopefully the cookie crumbles my way, so to speak.

Time for three-and-out...first down...What vacation spot would you like to go to that you haven’t been to?

Moore: Atlantis (Paradise Island, Bahamas)

Second down...What is your dream car?

Moore: The Prowler.

3rd down: What is on your iPod that you might be a little embarrassed to admit?

Moore: Coldplay.

Photo Credit: University of Wyoming Photo Service

Player Profile: Boston College DT B.J. Raji

Pros: Raji has the bulk, athleticism and quickness to dominate along the interior of the defensive line. He is explosive and agile, which makes him a potentially disruptive force, one capable of penetrating the offensive backfield against both the run and the pass. When he doesn’t get all the way to the quarterback, Raji does a good job of getting his hands up to knock the pass down. The New Jersey native possesses good instincts and anticipates very well. He’s a high upside impact player.

Cons: The BC product falls a bit short in terms of his height at just over 6’1, about two-and-a-half inches shorter than the prototype. He has the appropriate bulk, but could have issues keeping his weight down (played at over 350 pounds as a junior). If not rested properly, Raji tends to wear down as the game goes on. While he has kept his nose clean of late and doesn’t appear to be a bad kid, teams will look into Raji’s character, particularly for a player expected to go high in the first round. He missed the entire 2007 season because of academics and was also ejected from a game for fighting in his junior season.

Scout’s Take: After sitting out the 2007 season, Raji finished his collegiate career with a flourish recording 42 tackles, 14 tackles for a loss, 7.5 sacks and five passes defensed jumping to the top of the defensive tackle class. One can make a case for Raji being the highest rated defensive lineman come April. He is the only player in this draft that combines the sheer girth of a nose tackle with the explosiveness of a three-technique making him a likely top ten, if not top five pick. Like most defensive linemen, Raji still needs to work on his ability to gain leverage and he could get a little bit stronger—he’s probably a couple of years away from his peak performance. The bottom line is this former Eagle could be a rare difference-maker at the defensive tackle position.

Photo Credit: College Press Box (Boston College)