FanHouse College Eye For The NFL Guy

Lynch was one of college football's elite tailbacks the last three years, averaging 6.1, 6.4 and 8.8 yards a carry. He's also a strange dude and it is unknown how money, fame and his sometimes shy, sometimes outgoing personality will handle the new surroundings. What is known is that his selection by the Bills is considered a reach. Bill fans will rightly point out that last year's reach - Ohio State safety Donte Whitner - has acquitted himself quite nicely in the NFL.

A view on his chances from a guy who watched him play three years ...

PROS: Lynch makes things happen. He has a good combination of shake, speed and bulk to turn things loose inside or outside. He is adept at finding the end zone and can score from inside the red zone. Lynch doesn't have many bad games and can be counted on to give you something you can work with almost every time out.

CONS: Cal's coaches never entrusted Lynch to fully carry the load for them which raises some red flags. His ability to handle an NFL workload (20+ carries for several games) is an unknown and he can get dinged with minor injuries that sometimes pile up. However, he's also a tough runner and tends to shake off a lot of the bumps and bruises. Weather. Lynch is an Oakland kid who stuck with the school almost in his backyard. May take some time to become a November/December player especially in Buffalo.

OVERALL: Lynch might not quite live up to expectation as a first round back if only because he's never shouldered a top back's burden before. Who knows, maybe he surprises and shows he's up to the task but at present it's a complete unknown. What he will do is provide a lot of excitement for the Bills' running offense because he can give a team at least 10-15 carries a game running inside most of the time and give you something. He also has the athleticism and herky-jerk/shake running style to create in space. Lynch should have a solid NFL career as either a moderate-use primary back or a standout complementary runner. As a bonus he has value as a receiver and returnman that the Bills may be able to exploit.

Previously at FanHouse:
College Eye for the NFL Guy: Marshawn Lynch

The Steelers started a brief two-player run on Michigan defenders when they picked defensive end Lamarr Woodley with the 46th pick in the draft. If the Steelers intend on sticking with their 3-4, Woodley will have to switch to OLB in the pros. A view on his chances from a guy who watched him play four years...

PROS: Four-year college player who's been consistently productive when healthy. Though he's played mostly defensive end, Woodley does have some experience as a linebacker in the 3-4, as Michigan made an experimental switch when he was a sophomore. Has consistently harassed quarterbacks over the course of his career and has been even better against the run. He's capable of taking on an offensive tackle one-on-one, and driving him back a step or two to string out an outside run to his side. Tough customer who has played through injury, a character guy who was a captain.

CONS: Is a bit big and stiff to play OLB. He's hovered around 270 for the last couple years. The 3-4 experiment ended after a year partially because Woodley was much more effective with his hand down. He only had four sacks as an OLB, though he did have 16 total TFLs and 70 tackles. When
he dropped into coverage he looked like the defensive lineman he really was.

The SEC should be well represented in this year's NFL Draft. And while nobody will be as prolific in the draft as Florida, players from Tennessee, Georgia, and South Carolina will be around on Saturday and Sunday, too. We've already looked at Vols Arron Sears, Robert Meachem, and Justin Harrell, as well as UGA's Quentin Moses and USC's Syvelle Newton through the College Eye for the NFL Guy series. Here's an additional look at some of the other players from these SEC East schools.

TURK McBRIDE, DT, TENNESSEE

ESPN.com ($): "McBride entered his senior season with limited starting experience and a history of durability issues. However, he was asked to play a versatile role along the Vols' injury-riddled defensive front in 2006 and blossomed during the experience."

Probably getting drafted: McBride is a better end than tackle, but the fact that he was forced into playing DT his senior season helps his draft value. In Todd McShay's most recent mock draft ($), McBride is a late-second round pick, the 58th overall selection to New Orleans.

CHARLES JOHNSON, junior DE, GEORGIA

ESPN.com ($): "Johnson's potential is somewhat limited by his below-average height and pedestrian top-end speed. However, he is a high-motor player with good initial burst and a powerful upper body. He shows good toughness versus the run and a relentless approach as a pass rusher."

Probably getting drafted: Georgia's fellow DE Quentin Moses was the school's first-round lock not too long ago. Recently, teams have been wavering between Moses and Johnson, mostly because Moses hasn't been too impressive in off-season workouts. I would still take Moses before Johnson, though both are solid players. McShay has Johnson going to Atlanta early in the second round with the 44th pick.

SIDNEY RICE, WR, SOUTH CAROLINA

ESPN.com ($): Rice could have benefited from another year at the collegiate level, as he still needs to get stronger and improve his route-running consistency. However, he is a natural playmaker with a good combination of height, speed and athletic ability.

Probably getting drafted: McShay projects Rice at the 47th spot to Green Bay. Had Rice spent another year at USC, he probably could have made himself a first-rounder. Still, he'll be a good receiver with a little bit of time in the NFL.

Our College Eye for the NFL Guy series has already taken a look at two of the most highly rated and interesting Florida Gators in this year's NFL draft: Reggie Nelson and Jarvis Moss. Both Nelson and Moss project as first round picks, but there are a ton of other Gators looking to find NFL homes starting Saturday -- a whopping 13 in Todd McShay's most recent mock draft ($). Here's a brief look at the other Florida players you can expect to hear about this weekend.

RAY McDONALD, DE

ESPN.com ($): "McDonald is a 'tweener DE/DT prospect with experience at both positions at the collegiate level. While he may be forced to settle on one position in the NFL, we think he has the potential to contribute in a hybrid role in the right system. He is quick enough to make an impact as an interior pass rusher, but he must improve his lower-body strength and technique versus the run in order to compete for an every-down role in the NFL."

Probably getting drafted: McShay has McDonald going to Pittsburgh with the 46th pick (2nd round). He's experienced, having started 36 games in four years in Gainesville, but he's also had knee problems that might scare some teams off. Teams will have to decide whether they want to make bulk McDonald up and make him a DT, or streamline him and put him at the end. The other choice is to make him some sort of hybrid, and he's athletic enough to do it in the right scheme.

BRANDON SILER, junior ILB

ESPN.com ($): "Siler is an effective interior run stuffer who plays with a mean streak and never stops working. However, while he's fast on a straight-line, he doesn't display great agility when working laterally and he's a bit sluggish in coverage. Simply put; Siler is a better football player than athlete and he will need to overcome his lack of ideal physical tools in order to earn a starting job in the NFL."

Probably getting drafted: The phrase "better football player than athlete" as a criticism boggles my mind, but this is the combine era, so I guess I have to get used to it. McShay has Siler going to Denver in the third round to Denver (86th pick overall), who needs a linebacker after letting go of Al Wilson. I'd be surprised if Siler could step right in and fill Wilson's (a Pro Bowler's) shoes, but I'd also be surprised if he's not a contributor this fall, where ever he ends up.

MARCUS THOMAS, DT

ESPN.com ($): "Thomas is a disruptive interior defender with an outstanding blend of first-step quickness and power. He was playing the best football of his career prior to being kicked off the Florida football team eight games into his senior season. In fact, it was our opinion that Thomas had emerged as the top overall defensive tackle prospect in the 2007 senior class at midseason. However, it would come as no surprise if Thomas' off-the-field problems caused him to freefall to the second day of the draft. Thomas' durability issues and an inconsistent motor could also turn some teams off."

Probably getting drafted: While the league is reportedly poised to stop asking players if they've smoked pot, they already know that Thomas was kicked off the team at Florida for a marijuana violation. Character issues may or may not be a big deal in this draft -- nobody wants the next guy to make it rain -- but Thomas probably would have gone higher (no pun intended) than McShay's projected fourth-round pick with the Raiders (#100 overall) had he been able to finish his senior year.

NFL scouts think they know him, but they're wrong.....

Mkristo Bruce, Defensive End, Washington State

WHAT NFL SCOUTS ARE SAYING

SI.COM: Positives: Hard-working leader of the Washington State defense with marginal upside for the next level. Quick off the snap, plays with good lean and exploits immobile blockers. Works his hands to get off blocks, quickly alters his angle of attack and makes plays.

Negatives: Possesses only a short-area burst of speed, which he cannot sustain. Easily knocked from his angle of attack, cannot get off blocks and controlled at the point by opponents.

Analysis: Productive collegiate player, Bruce has potential as a two-gap defensive lineman once he physically matures. Practice-squad material with the attitude necessary to make it.

NFL.COM: Overview: Washington State's aggressive scheme has produced several statistical monsters over the past decade. Bruce looks the part physically and racks up plenty of production, but is a bit of a product of the system and will be drafted considerably lower than his size or statistics would seem to warrant. He led the Cougars with 11.0 sacks and 16 tackles for loss in 2006. At the East-West Shrine Game in Houston, he displayed a good burst off the edge in practice, but wasn't able to turn that into an impressive performance in the game itself.

Positives: Productive collegiate defensive end who has improved throughout his career ... Has rare size for the position ... Better pass rusher than he is a natural football player ... Gets an advantage on the offensive tackle and can capitalize with good short-area quickness and strength in his tackling.

Negatives: Lacks quickness off the snap and acceleration around the offensive tackle ... Isn't explosive and makes too many plays down the field ... Despite size, Bruce isn't a particularly physical defender and can be knocked off the line of scrimmage.

PROBABLY GETTING DRAFTED

A second-day pick, if at all.

NFL scouts think they know him, but they're wrong ...

Daymeion Hughes, cornerback, California

WHAT NFL SCOUTS ARE SAYING

Pro Football Weekly: A smooth, natural athlete with good short-area quickness. Has a knack for baiting the quarterback and jumping underneath routes. Very good production with 15 career interceptions. Very confident. Does not have the kind of speed or burst teams are looking for on the outside. Very susceptible to pump fakes and double moves and cannot recover once he gets beat. Quicker than fast, short-area zone corner who would have to be classified as a gambler. Has the instincts, ball skills and hands to make a difference in a cover-two scheme. Will likely get overdrafted for his production.

Street and Smith's: Uses hands well to disrupt timing between receiver and quarterback. Plays the ball extremely well in the air. Anticipates extremely well. Good skills in man coverage but best suited for zone coverages. Scrappy and very confident. Lacks great speed and a burst. Gambles and gets beat. "Good all-around player who as the confidence you expect of a top player at that position" says an AFC scout.

PROBABLY GETTING DRAFTED ...

Second or third round. Cornerback is always a premium position in the draft and Hughes is among the best corners available.

GUY WHO WATCHED HIM FOUR YEARS SAYS

He's taking a beating with the scouts for his speed and gambling and questionable man coverage ability. That said, I think he has the necessary combination of size, speed, toughness, confidence and innate playmaking ability to be a reliable corner. Much of the league has adopted the cover-two scheme Hughes could thrive in so it's not like he's without options on where he'll end up.

At times I found Hughes to be a near-dominant performer in a league loaded with pass-happy offenses and quality quarterbacks. That absolutely cannot be overlooked. He may not be a difference-making all-pro cornerback but he should be an average top corner or above average number two for most teams.

NFL scouts think they know him, but they're wrong.

Reggie Nelson, junior safety, Florida

WHAT NFL SCOUTS ARE SAYING

ESPN.com ($): "Nelson lacks ideal size and he has limitations in run support. However, he possesses outstanding speed, athletic ability and ball skills in coverage. He has the best range of any safety prospect in the 2007 class and he can instantly upgrade the coverage skills of an NFL secondary as a centerfielder-type free safety."

Pro Football Weekly Draft Guide: "Has the physical ability to warrant looks very early, but mental limitations could push him to the second round. Can be an impact player if he is not asked to do a lot, and once he grows into a system, he could be a good pro."

PROBABLY GETTING DRAFTED:

Late first-early second round. Some team might try to make him a corner rather than a safety, which could affect draft position.

GUY WHO WATCHED HIM FOR TWO YEARS SAYS

NFL scouts think they know him, but they're wrong ...

Eric Wright, cornerback, UNLV

WHAT NFL SCOUTS ARE SAYING

Pro Football Weekly: Natural athlete. Has very good straight-line speed and fine movement skills. Can carry receivers deep and shows a burst out of his breaks. Has the hands and long speed to be effective as a kick returner. Too thin with a wiry build. Character needs to be examined very closely -- he left USC after being arrested for suspicion of rape, and police found 136 ecstasy pills in his apartment during the investigation. Durability needs to be considered (knee). A press man corner. Although he may be very physically gifted, Wright will scare many teams away with his immaturity and likely be removed from many draft boards come April.

Street and Smith's: Tough and aggressive. Will jam the receiver at the line. Has the speed to run with most receivers. Good leaping ability. Closes quickly. Good skills for man coverage. Has the intelligence and instincts for zone coverages. Plays within the scheme. Limited experience. Not physical. Transferred due to off-the-field issues. First-rate coverage skills. Has the speed to stay with the top receivers and uses his athleticism to knock the ball way from bigger receivers when the ball is seemingly out of his reach.

PROBABLY GETTING DRAFTED ...

Unknown. The NFL's crackdown on problem child players means teams won't invest deeply in an otherwise tremendously talented corner.

GUY WHO WATCHED HIM FOR THREE YEARS SAYS

Wright has all the physical ability to be an elite or near-elite corner in the NFL. His off field issues cost him a season and then he left UNLV early where the NFL tends to value at least three seasons of playing experience. There's just a lot of questions about him because his body of work is so remote and his background so questionable.

If his head's on straight and ends up somewhere with solid teammates and he works on his game more (strength, less gambling, etc.) he'll be a gem of a late-round find.

NFL scouts think they know him, but they're wrong ...

Oscar Lua, linebacker, USC

WHAT NFL SCOUTS ARE SAYING

... not much.

Pro Football Weekly: Overachiever lost his job to a talented sophomore.

PROBABLY GETTING DRAFTED

Late second day or undrafted free agent.

GUY WHO WATCHED HIM FOR FIVE YEARS SAYS

Lua's career showed great promise until several knee injuries took the pep out of his step. In spite of that he valiantly held off the freakish Rey Maualuga for the greater part of two seasons. The NFL will have to overcome his physical limitations (not much burst or speed) and find a solid football player underneath that.

Lua was more or less the defensive captain at USC for two years, making the calls in the middle for a defense run heavily in the NFL. He gets a little lost in space and cannot track down tight ends and backs for very long in coverage but Lua is quite special at fighting through the muck inside to stop the run. He consistently sheds blockers and locates ball carriers amid chaos showing unusual instincts.

He's a project, for sure, but he's got a solid 240/250 pound body and a physical style of play that should make him an intriguing special teams and second string interior linebacker prospect.
Sorry, No Photos

NFL scouts think they know him, but they're wrong ...

Stewart Bradley, linebacker, Nebraska

WHAT NFL SCOUTS ARE SAYING

Pro Football Weekly: Is athletic enough to play in space and drop into zones. Plays off backs and can string out perimeter runs to the sideline. Plays hard. Brings a lot of force as a blitzer. Can match up with tight ends and most backs and carry them down field. Is smart, understands the game and plays with passion. Has special teams background and potential. Shows some tightness in his hips and will take some bad angles. Durability is a consideration (ACL, high school injuries). A big, strong "Sam" linebacker who began his Nebraska career as a defensive end, has lined up at "Mike" and has the versatility sought for a 3-4 defense.

Street and Smith's: Moves well through traffic. Reliable tackler. Plays within the scheme. Lacks top-end speed. Limited range. Big man with the frame to add 15-20 pounds. If Bradley can do that, he could handle defensive-end responsibilities because he has excellent quickness to get around the corner and create havoc. Has fine instincts. "A good kid who could make it as an outside linebacker or defensive end if he adds weight" says an AFC scout.

PROBABLY GETTING DRAFTED

Second or third round. Reading the scouts they're making him out like an extremely versatile 3-4/4-3 combo backer/end with good run, rush and cover skills and some athletic limitations. Maybe a more versatile but less athletic Bobby Carpenter if you will.

GUY WHO WATCHED HIM FOR FOUR YEARS IS SAYING

Bradley has some physical limitations but is a savvy and physical player who will find a great fit with certain teams looking for a bigger outside linebacker in the 3-4 scheme or a 4-3 rush end/linebacker who is versatile. Bradley started a little slow in his career but really blossomed the last two seasons. At times he'd disappear but for the most part I found him to be a disruptive and productive force on the edge and near the line. He's really an intriguing prospect but I think many people only wish he were a little more fluid and fast. A solid NFL career is probably in the works, although maybe with a little special teams seasoning before he's trusted to make a run at a regular job.