Draft watch

Sporting News, The, Oct 30, 2000 by D.P.

OFFENSIVE TACKLES

This is a pretty strong group that would be made much stronger if Florida junior Kenyatta Walker decides to come out, as has been rumored. Walker probably would be the first tackle taken.

1. Leonard Davis, Texas, 6-5, 335. Wide, powerful blocker with balance and agility. Immovable object. Has long arms. Former defensive tackle is a work in progress. Not considered in the Tony Boselli-Jonathan Ogden class.

2. Jeff Backus, Michigan, 6-5, 303. A finesse tackle with quick feet and balance. Good at taking rushers wide. Isn't as strong as he could be. Could get bigger.

3. Brandon Winey, Louisiana State, 6-6, 300. Shows good range. Can play the left side. Needs to play more aggressively. Has been an underachiever in previous years.

4. Marques Sullivan, Illinois, 6-4, 320. Has good athletic ability and size. Shows good feet. Doesn't get enough movement in the run game. Has been beaten up by good DEs. Probably won't be a left tackle.

5. Matt Light, Purdue, 6-4, 301. Anchors well against a power rush. Has good hips and feet. Tenacious, tough and smart. Could be moved to guard. Didn't play as well as expected early this year.

6. Kareem McKenzie, Penn State, 6-6, 320. Athletic player with good balance and body control. Bends well. Needs to improve his technique. Inconsistent as a run blocker. Not as powerful as he should be.

7. Elliot Silvers, Washington, 6-6, 304. Tall, long-armed blocker. Uses hands well. Tough and mean. Probably not a left tackle. Not a great run blocker.

8. Maurice Williams, Michigan, 6-5, 298. Workmanlike blocker with toughness and size. Slides well. Has some athleticism, but is not a left tackle.

9. Jarvis Borum, North Carolina State, 6-6, 339. Looks the part, but doesn't play with power or passion. Has some athleticism. Developmental type.

10. Chris Brown, Georgia Tech, 6-5, 317. Big man with body control and decent feet. Needs to play with more strength and tenacity. Could be a guard.

RELATED ARTICLE: Draft dish

Oklahoma QB Josh Heupel is having a terrific season, but the feeling of most pro scouts is that he may be no better than a late second-round pick. Two scouts we spoke with said Heupel has "uncanny accuracy" and "flawless decision making," but that his marginal arm strength will be exposed at the Indy combine.... One West Coast area scout is down on USC DT Ennis Davis and LB Zeke Moreno. "Davis is getting pushed around too much in the middle and Moreno might lack the instincts that it takes to become a great NFL linebacker," the scout says.... Although he has had some injury problems this season, Mississippi RB Deuce McAllister remains the top player on most teams' draft boards.... There have been a lot of rumors swirling around Missouri junior defensive lineman Justin Smith, who is contemplating leaving early to enter the draft. The consensus opinion of scouts is that he shouldn't, for two reasons: He won't start immediately in the NFL, and the talent and depth of the senior defensive line class is impressive.