Was reading a (obviously) very early 08 NFL draft projection http://www.gbnreport.com/2008projection.html They have Tyson Jackson, Glenn Dorsey, Ali Highsmith, and Will Arnold going in the 1st. With strong senior years Doucet and Chevis Jackson could possibly slip in too. And who knows, maybe Matt Flynn blows away everyone? Would be pretty impressive, to say the least, if we had 4 guys drafted in the 1st in back to back drafts.
Definitely could happen. Doucet has a great chance to be a first rounder and Chevis could depending on how he runs the 40. As for Flynn, a QB's draft position is based a lot on hype. I hope he can wow some people this year.
I don't see a healthy Dorsey going that low in the first round and I don't see Highsmith going in the first round at all. Doucet will play in to the first round though. Even if Flynn has a phenomenal year, he will still be held back because of a lack of starts. I think he will be a steal in the draft and certainly has next level skills.
Yeah I was a little surprised to see Dorsey so low. They said he was going to be atleast a top 15 pick if he came out in '07, so I expect him to definitely go top 10 in '08. I personally think that it will be Jackson, Dorsey, Doucet and C. Jackson in the first. Guards tend to fall (like Ben Grubbs this year), so Will Arnold will be like a high 2nd round pick. Highsmith I'm not sure about, LB's tend to fall in the draft too sometimes. And people will give the lack of starts for Flynn a pass since he was behind Jamarcus, the #1 pick. But he will definitely need to have a monster year to play himself into the 1st.
I think we're over looking it. Just because we had 4 picks this year doesnt mean we'll have 3-4 picks next year. Dorsey is great, and without injuries would be a lock as a top 10 pick. But look at Alan Branch, the supposedly best DT, he dropped to the second round. And Jarett, just because of 1 millisecond, he dropped to the second round. Doucet is a phenomenal player overall, but he lacks the speed. When did you ever see Doucet bust a play for a home run? He has all the physicals, but one red mark like speed can drop him to the second round. As for Jackson, he'll have to have a phenomenal year to go in the first round. He certainly has all the tools, but will need to put up impressive stats to back it up, which Im sure he can from what I've seen so far. As for Highsmith, Im not sure at all. You're looking at a guy who can go from first round to seventh round. He'll have to be very hyped to go in the first round. Chevis is good, but as a corner, he must have eye pooping physical tools to go in the first round. Like at least a 4.4 speed. I personally prefer Zenon to Jackson, dont know why though. Flynn's NFL career relies on this season, he can either go from no. 1 overall (yes, no. 1 overall) to undrafted. This is his only chance to prove anything.
Highsmith doesn't have much of a chance to go in the first. His height will get him criticized. Arnold needs a monster year to get back into the mix as one of the top linemen. Guards are not typically taken in the first round unless they are just above and beyond everyone else. Doucet has a good shot because he is a walking highlight reel. And his YAC is his best attribute. Dorsey could go anywhere in the first, but will not slip out of the round. If Tyson Jackson comes out early, he will be the first Tiger drafted next year. He is a freak. Built in the mold of Kearse and Williams. Plus he is already better than Mario was when he was taken 1st overall last year. Chevis is the sleeper. He is not a household name, but he is as good as any CB in CFB. He has the speed to impress at the combine and his run support abilities make him very valuable. Beckwith is the other early entry we have to worry about. If he runs well at the combine he could jump way up the boards as well. Flynn, well we'll just have to wait and see. I truly do not think he will ever see the light of day in the NFL. There is just not anything that jumps out at you and says "wow, this kid can take us to the superbowl." We saw this year that a national championship appearence does nothing for you draft stock as a QB, so I just don't think he can do enough in one year to make a place for himself as a day one draft pick. This doesn't mean in anyway that I think he will not have a hell of a season this year. There is a big difference in a good CFB QB and an NFL prospect.
Zenon and Chevis are about the same height, but Chevis has about 15 lbs on Zenon. Speed, technique, and hands will be the attributes that the scouts will be looking at. Ability to get in a WRs jock and stay there. Strength to jam at the line. Watch these things all season to determine who is the better cover corner. At LB, I think Beckwith will have an unbelievable season, outshining Highsmith. Beckwith could also leave early, depending on how his season plays out. If he can keep the injury bug away. Beckwith's speed to the ball is freakish, and he will be on a mission to make up for missed time last season. Big Herm would have to show such incredible growth to break into the 1st round. He has developed slow and steady, and its unreasonable to think he will tear it up. The fact that a healthy Will Arnold means that he plays next to Ciron Black, and that will take away some of his merit. Tyson Jackson is a freak. Between he and Dorsey, OCs are going to have fits. Speed kills, and we have it on the edges, up the middle, and all over the secondary. Jackson, unless injured, will leave after this season. This year should be Sack Sentral.
