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List of Rising Players

I got this via email, check out #7.


Draft Insiders' Update '05 (35+ pages ) will have the Top 12 Small College Players - The Dirty Dozen Update will have the most extensive private workout results available from post combine.

Ahead of the Curve

Rising and Falling Pro Prospects - NFL Draft ‘05
Rising Prospects

1. Matt Jones - QB/WR - Arkansas

Big athletic college QB made a smooth transition to the receiver role during the postseason at both the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine. He displayed great hands in Mobile and put up freakesh numbers at the NFL Combine that has elevated him to the first day and possibly the top 50 selections. His rare combination of size/speed and instincts may allow him to have a short learning curve at a new position. He could also fill an H-back role with some development.

2. Ronnie Brown - RB - Auburn

Fast athletic tailback had an impressive senior season and NFL Combine that has moved him into the early first round and a probable top ten choice. He has the ability to be a complete NFL feature back with fine hands and the talent to run both inside and outside. He has the fine running skills, combining power and speed to earn a starting feature back role early in his career and possibly as a rookie. He has not been overused as a runner and his best football may be ahead of him.

3. * Troy Williamson - WR - South Carolina
Fast young receiver has completed a fine postseason especially at the NFL Combine where he ran a 4.32 forty time and a sub 7.0 three cone drill. He has the best deep speed in this fine class and has all the skills to develop into a major playmaker as a pro. He needs some refinement in his route running and defensive recognition, but with some experience he could be the class of this draft group when the light goes off when he fully adjusts to NFL defenses.

4. Vincent Jackson - WR - Northern Colorado

Huge athletic wideout is the highest rated small college player this year. He has imposing physical talent that will warrant a first day selection. His size may allow him to H-back, in addition to his regular wideout position. He has good speed, hands and agility and has produced against top competition. He completed a great college career with an impressive NFL Combine that may push him into the mid first day area. His rare size creates major problems especially in the red zone where he has impact ability.

5. Khalif Barnes - OT - Washington
Agile senior tackle continues a strong postseason with a nice effort at the NFL Combine after a solid week at the Senior Bowl in January. He is a fine athlete with very good footwork, balance and the wingspan to be a fine pass protector on the left side. He has bulked up to over 300 lbs. without losing any quickness. He has the athletic package that scouts seek in a left tackle prospect and he could hear his name at the end of the first round and the #2 tackle chosen this April.

6. * Chris Spencer - OC - Mississippi
Athletic junior pivotman has the talent and level of development to challenge for a starting job early in his NFL career. He has quick feet and the footspeed to get to the second level and block linebackers. He has the size to handle big defensive tackles in single assignments and is moving up the charts quickly. He figures in the late 2nd or early 3rd round at this point.

7. * Shawne Merriman - DE/LB - Maryland

Quick athletic defensive end/linebacker has moved up the charts as fast as any prospect in this year’s class. He has bulked up to 270 lbs. and runs very well for a defender at that size. He has played both up and down as a collegian and with many clubs converting to the 3-4 defensive scheme this year, he could be the hottest defensive commodity the first round. He has the speed to get upfield consistently as a pass rusher and clubs like the Cowboys, Chargers and Texans are vying for a shot to add him to their defensive unit.
8. Luis Castillo - DT - Northwestern

Mobile tough physical defensive tackle is moving up draft charts quickly after a great performance at the NFL Combine. He came on strong over his final season displaying the explosiveness in the middle to wreck havoc on blocking schemes. He is a tough, mobile wide body with fine initial quickness that combines excellent functional strength and sound technique. He has the package to become a fine NFL starter and a force in the middle and uniquely suited for either pro scheme.

9. Demarcus Ware - LB - Troy St.

Fast edge pass rusher is a talented hybrid end/linebacker who has improved at each step over recent seasons, including an impressive postseason. He shows the combination of speed, range, quickness and tackling skills to play early down as a weakside end or a backer in a 3-4 set. After a fine effort at the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine '05, his stock has elevated as fast as any defensive player and into a top 40 ranking and a possible late first round selection.

10. * Fabian Washington - CB - Nebraska

Fast athletic junior cover man has the package to develop into a fine NFL cornerback. He has rare speed and quickness with the toughness and tackling ability to support the run. He has the size, speed, agility and ball instincts to become a top cover man, capable of matching up with the big playmaking receivers that dominate the pro game currently. He has the makings of a fine shutdown pro cornerback with some development and is one of the fastest rising prospects off a great effort at the combine that could move him into the late first round.

11. Domonique Foxworth - CB - Maryland

Quick agile senior corner had a huge late workout that has him flying up the charts. He has adequate size with fine speed, quickness and agility to match up with big receivers and should be one of the surprise first day picks this April. He has well developed cover skills that should earn him playing time as a nickel corner as a rookie and within a short time a fulltime starting NFL corner.

12. * Josh Bullocks - FS - Nebraska
Athletic junior safety is one of the best ball hawks in recent years after a fine short career in the Big 12. He has fine instincts with the athleticism and speed to get to the ball and make plays. He shows excellent range and the closing speed to be an every down defender early in his pro career His fine ’04 season will warrant him a mid first day selection and possibly a 2nd round selection.
 
I'd like to see the Texans trade down in the 1st and pick up another 2nd round pick. If we could do that, I would love it if the Texans could get the following players in the 1st 3 rounds:

1st rnd: 9. Demarcus Ware - LB - Troy St.

2nd rnd: 8. Luis Castillo - DT - Northwestern

2nd rnd: 4. Vincent Jackson - WR - Northern Colorado

3rd rnd: 6. * Chris Spencer - OC - Mississippi

It might be better to pick Spencer before Jackson, because Vincent Jackson might still be around in the 3rd. The only problem with that is that I am really sold on Vincent Jackson, and I'd hate to wait too long and miss out on him. I really think Jackson will be a great one, so I might have to reach a little to make sure I got him. That's just my opinon though.

As far as the DT position goes, I think Castillo would be the best fit for us out of all of the DT's I have seen in this years draft. He is strong, and pretty fast for his size. I just think that he could be our replacement for Payne.
 
He might not warrant a draft pick or possibly a 7th.... but somebody that could give us security at the return spot as well as the ability to take it to the house, and eventually work his way as a reciever would be Jamarcus Shephard from Depauw. He played division III but was a consensus All American two years in a row. He was also one of two DIII players invited to play in the Hula bowl, where he caught two passes and returned a punt. He isnt the biggest (6'0") but he is smart and a burner. My team has played against him so I have had the privilidge of watching him play. I have also seen game film on Jehreme Urban (Seattle Seahawks) who went to my school, Trinity University, so I have a decent idea what it takes to make it to the NFL from DIII.

Just a though....
 
vtech9 said:
I'd like to see the Texans trade down in the 1st and pick up another 2nd round pick. If we could do that, I would love it if the Texans could get the following players in the 1st 3 rounds:

1st rnd: 9. Demarcus Ware - LB - Troy St.

2nd rnd: 8. Luis Castillo - DT - Northwestern

2nd rnd: 4. Vincent Jackson - WR - Northern Colorado

3rd rnd: 6. * Chris Spencer - OC - Mississippi

It might be better to pick Spencer before Jackson, because Vincent Jackson might still be around in the 3rd. The only problem with that is that I am really sold on Vincent Jackson, and I'd hate to wait too long and miss out on him. I really think Jackson will be a great one, so I might have to reach a little to make sure I got him. That's just my opinon though.

As far as the DT position goes, I think Castillo would be the best fit for us out of all of the DT's I have seen in this years draft. He is strong, and pretty fast for his size. I just think that he could be our replacement for Payne.

That would be quite a coup.
 
I just read something about Castillo testing positive during the combine for the use of Andro. That is the same stuff Mark McGuire was taking in St Louis. If this will affect anything as far as Castillo's strength, playing ability, or anything else I don't know, but it does make me a little leary about him now.
 
vtech9 said:
I just read something about Castillo testing positive during the combine for the use of Andro. That is the same stuff Mark McGuire was taking in St Louis. If this will affect anything as far as Castillo's strength, playing ability, or anything else I don't know, but it does make me a little leary about him now.


he had never tested positive for it before and he said he was using it to recover form a (sholder)???? injury. And he admitted he knew what it was and that it was only for rehabilitation purposes. It wont make his draft value go down any. And most guys who are guilty dont admit to it that quickly, i believe they guy !
 
TexansTrueFan said:
he had never tested positive for it before and he said he was using it to recover form a (sholder)???? injury. And he admitted he knew what it was and that it was only for rehabilitation purposes. It wont make his draft value go down any. And most guys who are guilty dont admit to it that quickly, i believe they guy !

I don't really buy the "rehabbing from an elbow injury" claim that he had, but there have been a few reports saying that the most this could affect him would be 15 spots, dropping him right around 47...If you're CC, do you take this guy in the 2nd if he's there?
 
I guess people are actually watching game film on Thomas Davis now.

NFL | Davis High on Radar? - from www.KFFL.com
Thu, 14 Apr 2005 15:49:04 -0700

Jay Glazer, of FOXSports.com, reports NFL Draft prospect S Thomas Davis (Georgia) is getting some attention. One team noted they have Davis in their top-five players and many others have him ranked within the top 10.
 
Jay Glazer, of FOXSports.com, reports NFL Draft prospect S Thomas Davis (Georgia) is getting some attention. One team noted they have Davis in their top-five players and many others have him ranked within the top 10.

Davis makes sense when u look at our shift to speed at MLB.
 
I've emailed a couple of "experts" to get their opinions on having Davis as an ILB, and these "experts" seem to think that he doesn't have the size and his talent would be wasted at ILB...Not sure I agree with that...
 
Davis is 9 pounds lighter than Jamie Sharper. He has plenty of size. He is a tackling machine and he is perfect for linebacker, mainly a cover-2 tampa2 style weakside guy. I think your experts are coo-coo for coco-puffs.
 
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