10. #33 Brian Quick(WR)- St. Louis Rams
There have been murmurs about Brian Quick since his senior season at Appalachian State. Quick?s size, speed, hands and small school background have earned comparisons to a young Terrell Owens? on-field ability. Quick had a stellar record-breaking career at FCS powerhouse Appalachian State and he’s expected to be Sam Bradford’s go-to receiver for the next decade.
9. #34 Coby Fleener(TE)- Indianapolis Colts
For nine years, Peyton Manning had tight end Dallas Clark as his safety valve in the passing game. The Colts are doing everything possible to make Andrew Luck comfortable in the NFL. ?The Colts have given him some of the old and some of the new during his rookie season in Indianapolis. They re-signed Reggie Wayne and on Draft Day, the Colts also added Luck?s favorite college tight end Coby Fleener.
8. #75 Russell Wilson(QB)- Seattle Seahawks
If Wilson were three inches taller, the Redskins would have had a difficult choice between him and RG3. Unfortunately, Wilson was stuck in Troy Smith Land as a sub-six foot signal caller. Matt Flynn is unproven as a starter and Tarvaris Jackson is a lifetime backup. Kellen Moore receives the majority of the Drew Brees comparisons but in reality young Brees more closely mirrors Wilson who singlehandedly made NC State relevant since his freshman year before basking in the spotlight at Nebraska for his senior season.
While Matt Flynn will be the starter, he?s also unproven as an NFL quarterback. Wilson has a rocket arm, mobility, accuracy, positive leadership qualities and a great football IQ. It will be interesting to see whether he can win the backup job during the preseason and training camp.
7. #39 Janoris Jenkins(CB)- St. Louis Rams
Talent-wise, Janoris Jenkins was the best cornerback in the NFL Draft. However, his character concerns forced teams to downgrade him significantly.? After becoming just the second true Florida Gators freshman to start the season opener, Jenkins was dismissed by new Florida head coach Will Muschamp and spent his senior season at Division II North Alabama. Jeff Fisher had another experience with troubled cornerback PacMan Jones in Tennessee that didn?t turn out so well. Time will tell if Jenkins and Fisher flourish in their second chances.
6. #67 Ronnie Hillman(RB)- Denver Broncos
After redshirting his freshman year, Hillman ran for over 3,200 yards and scored 36 touchdowns in two seasons at San Diego State. Hillman also has game breaking 4.45 speed that allowed him to break nine runs of 40+ yard and five runs of 50+ yards during his Aztecs career. Willis McGahee was a 1,000 yard back last season but at 31-years old, the Broncos can?t be sure how long he can continue to be an every down back and the Broncos front office has lost faith in Knowshon Moreno.
5. #61 Lamichael James(RB)- San Francisco 49ers
For three years, James garnered a reputation as the most explosive running back in the nation. While there were concerns about his size, don?t be surprised when he?s used as a receiver out of the backfield and may eventually develop into a diminutive Maurice Jones-Drew/Ray Rice type every down back.
4. Undrafted Free Agent (UDFA) Chris Owusu(WR)- San Francisco 49ers
Owusu flashed early round talent at Stanford, however, he may also be the poster child for concussions. Most of the time when scouts discuss concerns about what?s going on in a player?s head, it involves knuckleheads. Not Owusu. After suffering three concussions in 13 months, NFL teams were wary of using a draft pick on Owusu. Jim Harbaugh recruited Owusu to Stanford and ultimately was probably one of the few coaches comfortable with giving him an NFL shot.
3. #43 Stephen Hill(WR)- New York Jets
The 6-5, 206 pound receiver had the combine?s fastest 40-time but what makes him most intriguing is that he came from Georgia Tech?s triple option offense. The last Yellow Jacket receiver taken highly in the NFL Draft was Demaryius Thomas, Tebow?s favorite receiver in Denver. Most importantly, Hill was the best deep threat in college football last season and despite his numerous weaknesses, Tebow was one of the best deep passers in the NFL last season in the Broncos option offense. You can connect the dots. We?ll see if he and Tebow connect on any deep routes this fall.
2. #123 Brandon Boykin- Philadelphia Eagles
Boykins? is officially listed and scouted as a cornerback, however, the 5-foot-9, 182 pounder won college football?s 2011 Paul Hornung Award because of his versatility on offense, defense and special teams. After the Eagles trade of Asante Samuels, Boykins will be competing to be the Eagles? staring nickel cornerback but he?ll also see time on punt and kick returns and possibly on offense. During his career at UGA, Boykins returned four kick returns, one punt and recorded nine interceptions.
Jon Gruden thought his draft status changed after Boykins returned a punt 92 yards to the end zone against Michigan State the 2012 Outback Bowl, however, his second round grade was dropped after he suffered a slight fracture to his fibula at the Senior Bowl.
1. (UDFA)- Vontaze Burfict(ILB)- Cincinnati Bengals
Burfict may be the biggest head case in draft history. During his first two seasons at Arizona State, many considered him a top-15 draft pick based on his instincts and ability. However, his attitude is out of control. At Arizona State, he became a burden because of his penchant for crippling personal foul penalties and once punched a 200-pound walk-on receiver for accidentally bumping him I practice. In addition, his combine interviews were widely regarded as some of the worst in NFL history.
I don?t believe he can put it together to regain his stature as an elite linebacker on the NFL-level based in part on his 4.93 40 speed but what makes this most interesting is Marvin Lewis? decision to sign him.
The Bengals just rid themselves of the troubled characters and then they open their locker room up to the most troubled draft prospect in years. It?s like Smith enjoys the challenge of reforming recidivist troublemakers.
