MORE COMBINE

By Dr. Donovan Goldbond

Lead NFL Draft Expert

TE . OL . DT . DE . LB

TE

The clear-cut favorite in this year’s TE class and the only one slated to be a first round pick is OSU’s Brandon Pettigrew. Some think he is a top 15 pick but only the combine will tell. A couple guys to keep an eye on are Jared Cook from South Carolina and Missouri ’s Chase Coffman. They are both tall and big guys who have speed but both need to bulk up before the season starts and scouts will be looking at their blocking skills at the Combine.

OL

Even though he was suspended for the bowl game against Utah this year, Alabama ’s OT Andre Smith should go in the top 5-10 depending on his pass blocking skills which will be showcased next week. Virginia ’s OT Eugene Monroe should be the first line-man taken and should be considered the best lineman in the draft. Oregon Center Max Unger and Oregon State ’s OG Andy Levitre are some guys to watch in this year’s big ugly class.

DT

While this year’s draft class isn’t filled with a plethora of stud DTs, there are a couple guys that catch me eye. Ole Miss DT Peria Jerry dominated the line of scrimmage the whole year and I believe he is worth a day 1 selection. Also, Boston College has not one, but two DT prospects this year that could go in the top three rounds. The 334 DT, BJ Raji will probably be the first DT picked in this year’s draft and Ron Brace, who started 7 games this year and was All Acc-honorable mention, should be considered at the end of day one. Iowa ’s versatile DE / DT could be this year’s sleeper at this position. He was a beast at the Senior bowl and even though experts think he is too slow to be DE and too small to be DT, he could wreak havoc in the right 3-4 defense for years to come.

DE

Florida State ’s Everett Brown is my top DE in this year’s class (pre-combine). He is fast and reminds me of last year’s Vernon Gholston (without taking plays off). One guy that could raise, or drop his draft stock in the combine is LSU’s Tyson Jackson. He is a powerful DE with a massive rip move but still lacks effort on every play. If he can show the scouts that he has good work ethic, he could be a day 1 selection.

LB

LB is probably my favorite position in this year’s draft. The top LB’s are considered “sexy” picks because of there big names and they come from “big programs”. Not only do you have Ohio State ’s James “Oh what a rush” Laurinaitis, you also have one of the best LB prospects I have seen come out of college since Penn State ’s Lavar Arrington. Trojan MLB, Ray Maualuaga is a very smart football player that has a nose for the ball. Although you can’t teach this trait, some others that have been successful have been, Zach Thomas, Brian Urlacher and Junior Seau. Wherever the play is, they always seem to be in the mix and Ray Maualuaga is no different in that aspect. Even though these 2 big LBs are house hold names in college football, they aren’t even considered, by most, to be the best LB in the draft. Wake Forest ’s Aaron Curry could be a top 5 pick depending on his combine