My overall observation was that this draft class confirmed how deep it actually is by their performance at the combine. Take O-lineman as an example, 7 ran under 5.1 and of those 5 players were over 300lbs. The Wide Receivers are big, fast, productive and deep. Everyone was disappointed that Maurice Clarrett didn’t participate and looked out of shape. Most of the top players refused to workout as well. They did participate in the interview process, which is now becoming more important as the workouts.

Moving On Up

Isaac Sopoaga DT Hawaii – The 300lb lineman has limited playing experience but he put on a display with his weightlifting, hoisting 42 reps at 225#’s. It was the way he did it and how engaging his personality is that added to his fete of strength. He wore a hat he made himself from palm leaves. In the middle of his reps he paused, took a deep breath and said 41 he we come! He stopped after beating the previous best of the day 42. Then he learned that he missed the Combine record of 45 and was disappointed because he felt he could have beaten that too! Sopoaga has solidified himself as a day 1 pick.

Igor Olshansky DT Oregon – he had the other big lift of 41. He was better known coming into the combine than Sopoaga and he solidified his position as a mid 2nd round selection with a fast 4.96 forty. He is from the Ukraine and is another player with a huge potential upside because he is relatively new to the game.

Ben Watson TE Georgia - he ran a sizzling 4.53 forty and already possessed a good reputation as a blocker and receiver.

Isaac Hilton DE/LB Hampton – he ran a 4.5 forty and looked very good in the LB drills as well

Mewelde Moore RB Tulane – He ran a 4.56 which is great for him as a possession third down back. I believe he is a perfect fit for the Patriots. He was one of the best pass catching RB’s in the draft. He led Tulane in rushing and receiving (950 yds rushing and 37 receptions). He is shifty and a good blocker.

Jason Babin DE/LB Eastern Michigan – his forty was timed at 4.6 (.25 better than his reported speed) and like Hilton he was very good at the LB drills. Babin was also reported to have been one of the interviewees by the Patriots.

Jason Peters TE Arkansas – This 300 lb behemoth ran a 4.9 forty. Many teams were already looking at him as a late round OT project. It was also reported that he had soft hands as a receiver. Anyone say Goal Line Offensive weapon!

Tank Johnson DT Washington – another late round player that had speed. His 4.71 was outstanding. At 6’4” and slightly under 300 he projects as a 3-4 DE. He also had 12 sacks last year.

Carlos Francis WR Texas Tech – Ran a 4.28 forty and solidifies a Day 2 selection. He still has a reputation of dropping too many easy passes.

Vince Wilfork DT Miami – Came in at a svelte 323, down from his reported playing weight of between 350 – 360. This will solidify him as a mid first round selection.

Lee Evans WR Wisconsin – He shutup his critics with a blistering 4.37, two years removed from his knee reconstruction.

Heading On Down The Line

Nat Dorsey OT Georgia Tech – he was in awful physical shape and really turned off the scouts. His overall poor performance could knock him completely off most NFL teams draft boards.

Greg Brooks DB Southern Miss – this wasn’t his fault and he could rebound from the combine. He was bitten by a spider (either before or at the combine). The NFL doctors stopped him from completing his weightlifting when they observed the infection spreading. He was instructed to shut it down and go to the hospital for anti-biotics. He stayed around Indianapolis long enough to complete his interviews and was sent home. This is bad news for Brooks and good news for Patriots fans. I am very high of Brooks. Who knows if and when he will be able to work out for the pros.

Michael Clayton WR LSU – his slow 4.6 will drop him out of the 1st round. He will have an opportunity to perform better at the LSU Pro Day to regain his position. With the probable entry of USC’s Mike Williams into the draft combined with this slow run, Clayton might get bumped into round two.

DeAngelo Hall DB Virginia Tech – There is a lot of confusion about how fast he ran. Three reports had him running anywhere from a 4.2 forty up to the mid 4.4’s. He is an outstanding return man. However I don’t like him as a DB even if he ran a 4.34! IMO he cannot play DB at the NFL level.

Ernest Wilford WR Virginia Tech – Big Ernie at 6’5” is quite the target. He runs great disciplined routes and catches anything thrown his way. However, he ran a tortoise like 4.8 forty. If he is at the end of the draft and the Pats are trying to fill that 7th round pick then I would take a chance on him.

Karlos Dansby LB Auburn – Reports had him doing very poorly in the interviews. The report stated that he projected a very bad attitude.

Steven Jackson RB Oregon had a Torn Miniscus repaired and didn’t run. It won’t hurt him.

Vernon Carey OL Miami – had a knee injury and wasn’t able to run

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