Draft trivia

Sporting News, The, April 22, 2005

* Not a senior

([dagger]) 40-yard dash time

(a) Stock rising

(b) Stock declining

G

POSITION STRENGTH 7

This group, like most guard classes, lacks a truly elite prospect. But it does offer quite a few first-day candidates. Depth at the position also is pretty strong.--D.P.

SECOND ROUND

1. Elton Brown

Virginia, 6-5, 329, 5.79 ([dagger])

A huge blocker who is one of the best pulling guards you'll ever see. Flattens defenders at the second level. Strong run blocker. A finisher. Has some trouble with quickness in pass protection. Isn't quite as athletic as you'd like. Could improve technique. Has to control his weight. Also could play right tackle and has some experience at center.

2. Logan Mankins

Fresno State, 6-4, 307, 5.06

Versatile enough to play guard or tackle. Has enough quickness for tackle but probably is better suited athletically to play inside. Exceedingly tough player who anchors well. Shows natural bend. Good technician. Has instincts for the game.

THIRD ROUND

3. Adam Snyder

Oregon, 6-5, 316, 5.04

A left tackle in college who is best suited to play guard. Is athletic enough to pass protect on the edge. Good technician who uses his long arms well. Big and tough. Could improve his strength. Plays a little erect at times.

4. Claude Terrell

New Mexico, 6-2, 343, 5.39

College tackle who likely will be converted to guard. A power player with a wide body. Has balance and mobility. Can pull and slide. Anchors well. Finishes blocks. Does a nice job using his hands.

5. Dan Buenning

Wisconsin, 6-4, 320, 5.34

Excellent technician who can play center and guard. Tough player who competes hard. Has strong intangibles--is aware and smart. A leader. Better run blocker than pass blocker. Pulls well. Athleticism and strength are average.

6. (a) Evan Mathis

Alabama, 6-5, 312, 4.90

Tough, blue-collar player with experience at guard and tackle. Moves pretty well and can get to the second level. Falls off blocks at times and doesn't always play with a good base. Is a little stiff in pass protection. Has helped himself with postseason performances.

7. Chris Kemoeatu

Utah, 6-3, 344, 5.34

Huge, tough blocker with a powerful upper body. Plays with a nasty streak. Strong run blocker who comes off the snap hard and gets push. Doesn't have the quickest feet and is limited athletically. Overextends at times and gets top-heavy. Effort is inconsistent. Potential is big.

8. (b) Nick Kaczur

Toledo, 6-4, 319, 5.28

Strong, tough blocker who can anchor. Has decent mobility and plays with an attitude. Didn't help himself in the postseason. Some see him as a tackle. Could slip in the draft a little because he worked a few years before enrolling in college and is 25.

Breakdown

Best pass blocker: Adam Snyder, Oregon

Best run blocker: Elton Brown, Virginia

Best at pulling: Brown

Best technician: Logan Mankins, Fresno State

Best in weight room: Scott Young, BYU

Best mentality: Dan Buenning, Wisconsin

On the rise: Evan Mathis, Alabama

Teams in need

1. Patriots

2. Buccaneers

3. Steelers

4. Broncos

5. Packers

DAY 2 PROSPECTS

9.  Jonathan Clinkscale Wisconsin,    Experienced, powerful blocker
    6-2, 315, 5.50                    who can move a pile.

10. Ikechuku Ndukwe Northwestern,     Wide-body who uses his strength
    6-3 1/2, 326, 5.23                well.

11. Dan Connolly Southeast Missouri   Instinctive blocker who knows
    State, 6-3 1/2, 311, 5.19         how to leverage his strength.

12. Joe Berger Michigan Tech,         Tough guy who does his best work
    6-5 1/2, 303, 5.18 (c)            in a short area.

13. Justin Geisinger Vanderbilt,      Isn't the most gifted athlete
    6-4, 320, 5.38                    but doesn't have many bad
                                      plays.

14. Wes Sims Oklahoma,                Tough, heady player who doesn't
    6-5, 318, 5.39                    make many mental errors.

15. Nick Steitz Oregon,               Is limited athletically but
    6-3 1/2, 312, 5.59                competes hard.

16. C.J. Brooks Maryland,             Has a great body for football
    6-5 1/2, 309, 5.13                but isn't particularly
                                      athletic.

17. William Whitticker Michigan       Big, barrel-chested prospect who
    State, 6-5 1/2, 336, 5.36         moves well in a short area.

18. Leon Robinson Georgia Tech,       Athletic prospect who has been
    6-4, 317, 4.99                    inconsistent.

19. Scott Young BYU,                  Former D-lineman's nice
    6-3 1/2, 312, 5.06                measurables don't always
                                      translate to the field.

20. Dylan Gandy Texas Tech,           Has decent size and strength but
    6-3, 304, 5.12                    marginal athleticism.

21. Doug Buckles Mississippi,         Tough, try-hard blocker with
    6-5, 311, 5.50                    marginal quickness.

(c) SLEEPER

Joe Berger. If he
gets used to pushing
around people his
own size, he could be
a pretty good player.
Playing tackle in col-
lege should help help him
with pass protection
at guard. His workout
at the Combine was
encouraging.