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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, April 23, 2006

2006 NFL draft preview

 •  Buzz keeps building as NFL draft nears

Advertiser Staff

RATINGS GAME

The Honolulu Advertiser publishes brief excerpts from Mel Kiper Jr.'s Draft Report.

Here are explanations of his rating system:

10—Outstanding at his position

9—Start his first year, a first- or second-round pick

8—Potential to start his first year, second- to fourth-rounder

7—Potential to start eventually, 5th- or 6th-rounder

6—Can make club and contribute, 7th-rounder or free agent

5—Has some talent, size, speed; free agent

WHAT: 71st NFL Draft

WHEN: Saturday and next Sunday

SITE: New York City's Radio City Music Hall

TV: ESPN/ESPN2, 6 a.m. Saturday; 5 a.m. next Sunday

RATING KEY

Players listed are in the 8.6 range or higher or are players with Hawai'i ties (bold face)

  • 40—Speed over 40 yards

  • VJ—Vertical jump in inches
  • R—Rating

  • BP—bench press repetitions of 225 pounds

  • na—not available or did not work out

    FORMAT: Rounds 1-3 Saturday; Rounds 4-7 next Sunday

    TIME LIMITS: 15 minutes per pick in Round 1; 10 min. Rd. 2; 5 min. thereafter

    FIRST ROUND ORDER

    1, Houston

    2, New Orleans

    3, Tennessee

    4, N.Y. Jets

    5, Green Bay

    6, San Francisco

    7, Oakland

    8, Buffalo

    9, Detroit

    10, Arizona

    11, St. Louis

    12, Cleveland

    13, Baltimore

    14, Philadelphia

    15, Denver

    16, Miami

    17, Minnesota

    18, Dallas

    19, San Diego

    20, Kansas City

    21, New England

    22, San Francisco

    23, Tampa Bay

    24, Cincinnati

    25, N.Y. GIANTS

    26, Chicago

    27, Carolina

    28, Jacksonville

    29, N.Y. Jets

    30, Indianapolis

    31, Seattle

    32, Pittsburgh

    Sources: The Advertiser uses comments on players from an NFL scout, who spoke on condition of anonymity in return for assessments. Other sources include Mel Kiper Jr.'s Draft Report, espn.com, nfl.com.

    OFFENSE

    QUARTERBACKS

    Player School Ht. Wt. 40 BP/VJ R

    1, Matt Leinart USC 6-5 223 4.88 26/37 9.5

    2, Vince Young Texas 6-4fi 229 4.57 na/na 9.5

    3, Jay Cutler Vanderbilt 6-3 1/4 226 4.73 23/na 9.1

    4, Brodie Croyle Alabama 6-2 1/4 205 4.90 na/30 1/2 8.8

    5, Kellen Clemens Oregon 6-1 1/2 222 4.78 na/na 8.8

    MATT LEINART

    NFL scout: He's not as good an athlete as Carson (Palmer) but he's a better quarterback ... (has) a better feel for the game, better instincts."

    VINCE YOUNG

    NFL scout: "A great athlete ... he has a strong arm, throws a nice deep ball but he has a sidearm motion ... (he's) not going to be able to run (as much) because the linebackers are as big and as fast ... (he's a) great, great leader ... Don't know what you're going to get with Vince Young. Can he drop back? Does he read well? Can he take a snap?" JAY CUTLER

    NFL scout: "He's athletic, (has a) nice arm ... played with an inferior cast and still led (them) ... he's extremely talented. ... this guy's a top 10 pick ... I've seen him play for three years ... people don't know how good he is."

    BRODIE CROYLE

    Kiper: "Possessing an NFL arm and ranking as one of the top pure passers in the draft ... still has durability questions (two knee injuries)."

    KELLEN CLEMENS

    Kiper: "In certain games, he looked like a first- or second-round caliber talent."

    RUNNING BACKS

    Player School Ht. Wt. 40 BP/VJ R

    1, Reggie Bush USC 5-11 202 4.33 26/40 9.7

    2, DeAngelo Williams Memphis 5-9 215 4.40 25/35 1/2 9.3

    3, Laurence Maroney Minnesota 6-0 217 4.47 21/35 9.1

    4, LenDale White USC 6-0 1/2 238 na 15/na 9.0

    5, Brian Calhoun Wisconsin 5-9 1/2 202 4.38 18/38 8.8

    6, Joseph Addai LSU 5-11 1/4 212 4.40 18/38 1/2 8.8

    7, Maurice Drew UCLA 5-6 1/2 210 4.39 18/38 8.6

    REGGIE BUSH

    NFL scout: "As good an offensive player as I've seen. He's kind of a luxury in that he's not really a full-time player ...Bush is bigger than he looks on the field and he plays big. Every time he touches the ball, he's a threat. He would be better than (Tony) Dorsett because he catches the ball; (Walter) Payton, he's a lot faster than Payton."

    Kiper: "An explosive all-in-one package multi-talented dynamo ... skill level that boggles the mind."

    DEANGELO WILLIAMS

    NFL scout: "He's quick, catches ball well; he won't block ... doesn't have great speed, has good speed."

    LAURENCE MARONEY

    NFL scout: "I saw him on tape ... he wasn't that special."

    Kiper: "Has a chance to be a very good feature back in the NFL."

    LENDALE WHITE

    NFL scout: "He's excellent ... he's the second-best back ... this guy is huge... and he catches the ball well."

    BRIAN CALHOUN

    Kiper: "Has outstanding running skills, impressive quickness, and he can be relied upon not to turn the ball over."

    JOSEPH ADDAI

    Kiper: "(His) forte is his versatility ... what gets your attention are his receiving and blocking skills."

    MAURICE DREW

    NFL scout: "The best thing he does is return punts ... he's built well."

    DEFENSE

    ENDS

    Player School Ht. Wt. 40 BP/VJ R

    1, Mario Williams No. Carolina St. 6-7 295 4.66 35/40 1/2 9.6

    2, Kamerian Wimbley Florida State 6-3 7/8 248 4.62 24/38 1/2 9.3

    3, Tamba Hali Penn State 6-3 275 4.73 18/29 1/2 9.0

    4, Manny Lawson No. Carolina St. 6-5 3/8 241 4.44 23/39 1/2 8.8

    5, Darryl Tapp Virginia Tech 6-1fi 252 4.84 27/33 8.6

    6, Mark Anderson Alabama 6-4 1/4 255 4.61 20/42 8.6

    7, Mathias Kiwanuka Boston College 6-5 1/2 266 4.70 17/32 8.5

    MARIO WILLIAMS

    NFL scout: "He's excellent ... (has) agility and quickness; looks like you're looking at a 6-3, 255-pound guy ... I think he's better (than Julius) Peppers. At the same point, this guy is way better ... if I had the first pick in draft, he would be (it). ... I still rate Bush with the best grade. What it gets down to (when I'm picking), is which guy will play the longest."

    KAMERIAN WIMBLEY

    NFL scout: "His only problem is his weight; (he's) 247 pounds but (has) lot of talent ... excellent athlete and explosive ... needs to finish better."

    TAMBA HALI

    NFL scout: "He's kind of an undersized guy ... got little legs ... real explosive ... just straight-line guy and is tight in the hips."

    MANNY LAWSON

    Kiper: "Defensive end with the athleticism and versatility to play on his feet in a 3-4 defensive scheme if called upon."

    DARRYL TAPP

    Kiper: "Has low center of gravity ... and uses that leverage to his advantage ... one of the hardest workers in this draft."

    MARK ANDERSON

    Kiper: "Good athlete who has impressive pass-rush skills, but will need to take care of run responsibilities better."

    MATHIAS KIWANUKA

    NFL scout: "He's a real top athlete... and he's got good movement ... tall guy, with long arms. ... a lot better athlete than Hali."

    TACKLES

    Player School Ht. Wt. 40 BP/VJ R

    1, Brodrick Bunkley Florida State 6-2 3/4 306 4.95 44/32 1/2 9.3

    2, Haloti Ngata Oregon 6-4 1/8 338 5.18 37/31 1/2 9.3

    3, CLAUDE WROTEN LSU 6-2 300 5.05 26/29 1/2 8.8

    4, Orien Harris Miami, Fla. 6-3 1/4 300 5.15 25/29 1/2 8.8 16, Jesse Mahelona Tennessee 6-0 1/2 311 5.08 27/27 7.5

    BRODRICK BUNKLEY

    NFL scout: "He's an excellent, excellent player ... was best defensive lineman (at Senior Bowl). He's like (Corey) Simon (Eagles), with quickness, strength, leverage and motor."

    HALOTI NGATA

    NFL scout: "I was really disappointed ... he kind of picked his spots .. people are basing things on what he can do instead of what he does ... he's got to show more ... but he's a huge person."

    CLAUDE WROTEN

    NFL scout: "Probably the most explosive of the defensive tackles ... he was arrested in Louisiana."

    (Associated Press reported that he was arrested on a drug charge after police stopped him for speeding and found marijuana in his car.)

    ORIEN HARRIS

    NFL scout: "He's an underachiever ... big strong guy who plays with high-pad level but takes time off. But he's athletic and certainly strong." jesse mahelona

    Kiper: "He'll need to get his weight back down to get that quickness back ... could be a rotational-type defensive tackle at the pro level, but he'll have to prove that he isn't just a great college player."

    WIDE RECEIVERS

    Player School Ht. Wt. 40 BP/VJ R

    1, Chad Jackson Florida 6-1 213 4.32 na/38 1/2 9.3

    2, Santonio Holmes Ohio State 5-10 1/2 188 4.34 na/38 9.3

    3, Sinorice Moss Miami, Fla. 5-8 185 4.39 na/42 9.0

    4, Greg Jennings Western Mich. 5-11 198 4.46 na/36 1/2 8.6

    5, Maurice Stovall Notre Dame 6-4 1/2 221 4.57 na/35 8.6

    6, Brandon Williams Wisconsin 5-9 1/2 177 4.44 na/34 1/2 8.6

    7, Demetrius Williams Oregon 6-1 1/2 195 4.46 na/36 8.6

    CHAD JACKSON

    Kiper: "He's big, athletic, fast, and polished as a pure receiver."

    SANTONIO HOLMES

    NFL scouts: "He's quick but he's little."

    Kiper: "He's a playmaker who can be counted on to make the challenging reception when the game is on the line."

    SINORICE MOSS

    NFL scout: "He's not his brother (Santana) ... got speed, but he's 5-7, built like running back."

    Kiper: "When you combine his toughness, blazing speed and versatility to be a factor in both the passing and return games, you have to be excited about the weapon he could become."

    GREG JENNINGS

    Kiper: "Has above average hands, toughness to go across middle and work in traffic and a lot of overall ability."

    MAURICE STOVALL

    NFL scout: "He's a big, strong guy with good hands, but just not fast."

    BRANDON WILLIAMS

    Kiper: "Sure-handed and consistent; his return skills also are top notch."

    DEMETRIUS WILLIAMS

    Kiper: "Has good hands and will step up and go across the middle."

    TIGHT ENDS

    Player School Ht. Wt. 40 BP/VJ R

    1, Vernon Davis Maryland 6-3 254 4.38 33/42 9.4

    2, Marcedes Lewis UCLA 6-6 1/4 261 4.83 23/37 8.8

    3, Leonard Pope Georgia 6-7 3/4 258 4.66 22/37 1/2 8.8

    4, Dominique Byrd USC 6-2 1/2 255 4.79 16/36 8.6

    5, Dave Thomas Texas 6-3 249 4.71 19/37 1/2 8.6

    6, Anthony Fasano Notre Dame 6-4 1/8 259 4.76 19/33 1/2 8.5

    7, Joe Klopfenstein Colorado 6-5 3/4 255 4.61 27/36 8.5

    VERNON DAVIS

    NFL scout: "He and Bush are the two best athletes in the draft ... he can run and he can catch and he'll block ... seemed like a great person, too. This guy has chance to be great player."

    MARCEDES LEWIS

    NFL scout: "A very good player ... outstanding, big-time athlete, excellent catcher and willing blocker, not strong blocker ... good speed for 15 yards, but doesn't have long speed."

    LEONARD POPE

    NFL scout: "I really didn't like the guy ... I went to Georgia to see him... has a good release and has good hands ... willing blocker."

    DOMINIQUE BYRD

    Kiper: "Great body control and awareness of field ... needs to get stronger."

    DAVE THOMAS

    Kiper: "Thomas is a good, solid, reliable football player."

    ANTHONY FASANO

    NFL scout: "I really liked him ... he's your old-time tight end ... he runs excellent routes ... I thought he was the second-best tight end. ... he can catch and block."

    JOE KLOPFENSTEIN

    Kiper: "Very athletic, natural pass-catching tight end ... he needs to show a little more fire."

    INSIDE LINEBACKERS

    Player School Ht. Wt. 40 BP/VJ R

    1, D'Qwell Jackson Maryland 6-0 1/2 230 4.77 19/37 8.8

    2, Abdul Hodge Iowa 6-0 3/8 236 4.69 25/31 8.7

    D'QWELL JACKSON

    Kiper: "A natural athlete blessed with outstanding speed ... a tremendously hard worker ... does good job of reacting quickly, taking good angles to the ball, and staying on feet."

    ABDUL HODGE

    Kiper: "Proved he can be a true blue-chip middle linebacker ... although a little stiff in the hips ... is tough as they come. ... in league with any top linebackers in America."

    CORNERBACKS

    Player School Ht. Wt. 40 BP/VJ R

    1, Tye Hill Clemson 5-9fi 185 4.30 na/41 9.1

    2, Jimmy Williams Virginia Tech 6-2 3/8 213 4.37 12/33 9.1

    3, Johnathan Joseph South Carolina 5-11 193 4.38 15/37 9.1

    4, Richard Marshall Fresno State 5-11 1/8 189 4.47 12/37 9.1

    5, Antonio Cromartie Florida State 6-2 1/8 208 4.42 18/38 9.1

    6, Ashton Youboty Ohio State 5-11 3/4 189 4.43 11/36 9.0

    7, Kelly Jennings Miami, Fla. 5-10 7/8 178 4.43 12/40 9.0

    8, Cedric Griffin Texas 6-0 1/2 197 4.54 17/35 1/2 8.7

    9, David Pittman Northwestern St. 5-11 1/4 180 4.50 14/38 8.7

    TYE HILL

    NFL scout: "He ran fastest time at the combine ... very mature, and very professional ... plays football like he presents himself. He's sharp, mature, articulate."

    Kiper: "He is spunky and tough with an in-your-face attitude ... what he doesn't have is ideal size."

    JIMMY WILLIAMS

    NFL scout: "Character issue. I wouldn't touch him."

    Kiper: "Top of the line athletic talent ... is big and has good speed."

    JOHNATHAN JOSEPH

    NFL scout: ""He's excellent ... only thing is lack of experience. He's a JC transfer. Had he come back (he) could have been a top-10 pick. Outstanding in all the workouts."

    RICHARD MARSHALL

    Kiper: "Supremely confident, talented cornerback who relishes facing the other team's top wide receiver." ANTONIO CROMARTIE

    NFL scout: "He is a first-round talent if you go back the one year he played ... he's coming off an ACL ... a tall guy, he's fast, quick, he's the whole thing."

    ASHTON YOUBOTY

    Kiper: "He has size, speed and the kind of natural coverage skills that you can't teach ... struggled at times with ball recognition and technique at the line of scrimmage."

    KELLY JENNINGS

    NFL scout: "Good player, but not a big person ... good cover guy ... smart ... he's a first-round talent."

    CEDRIC GRIFFIN

    Kiper: "As tough a cornerback as there is in this draft ... may find his future lies as safety because of his aggressiveness and tackling ability."

    DAVID PITTMAN

    Kiper: "Spunky kid who will surprise people with his big-time talent."

    CENTERS

    Player School Ht. Wt. 40 BP/VJ R

    1, Nick Mangold Ohio State 6-3 1/2 300 5.03 24/27 1/2 8.8

    2, Chris Chester Oklahoma 6-3 3/8 303 4.88 27/31 1/2 8.8

    13, Donovan Raiola Wisconsin 6-2 1/8 300 5.59 25/na 5.5

    NICK MANGOLD

    Kiper: "Strong ... has great technique ... plays smart ... should have very good career as an anchor at the pro level a tough overachiever."

    CHRIS CHESTER

    Kiper: "A tight end most of his career, Chester moved to center/guard as a senior ... still a work in progress ... superior computer numbers."

    DONOVAN RAIOLA

    nfl.com: "Has the intangibles and mental traits one could ask for in a center, but trouble is that he is undersized and limited athletically."

    GUARDS

    Player School Ht. Wt. 40 BP/VJ R

    1, Max Jean-Giles Georgia 6-3 3/4 355 5.47 27/24 1/2 8.7

    2, Taitusi Lutui USC 6-3fi 334 5.33 26/32 8.7

    3, Davin Joseph Oklahoma 6-2fi 311 5.11 24/32 8.7

    4, Charles Spencer Pittsburgh 6-4 3/4 352 5.29 30/na 8.6

    MAX JEAN-GILES

    NFL scout: "He's really thick and square ... main thing will be maintaining his weight."

    TAITUSI LUTUI

    Kiper: "A real battler with the frame and power to accentuate the running game."

    DAVIN JOSEPH

    Kiper: "Very impressed with his ability and overall makeup as a football player."

    CHARLES SPENCER

    Kiper: "A former defensive tackle, Spencer has big frame and is good athlete."

    TACKLES

    Player School Ht. Wt. 40 BP/VJ R

    1, D'Brickashaw Ferguson Virginia 6-6 312 4.97 26/30 9.5

    2, Winston Justice USC 6-6 1/8 320 5.15 38/39 9.3

    3, Eric Winston Miami, Fla. 6-6fi 310 4.94 22/33 9.0

    4, Ryan O'Callaghan California 6-6fi 344 5.40 21/26 8.6

    5, Guy Whimper East Carolina 6-4 1/2 305 4.95 26/29 8.6

    6, Marcus McNeil Auburn 6-7 1/2 335 5.05 na/31 8.5

    D'BRICKASHAW FERGUSON

    NFL scout: "Excellent pass blocker ... built like a basketball player ... got these long arms ... he's certainly a top 5-6 guy. ... he will be like (Willie Roaf) ... speaks well, bright guy."

    WINSTON JUSTICE

    NFL scout: "He is a good pass protector ... he's a very good athlete."

    Kiper: "From size, speed, strength, athleticism standpoint, Justice has everything you want."

    ERIC WINSTON

    NFL scout: "When you meet him there's nothing you don't like about him. ... ran very, very well. ...top athlete ... will be better next year because he had a bad knee."

    RYAN O'CALLAGHAN

    NFL scout: "He's a very good player ... pass blocks well... mauler ... tough-guy type ... a better athlete than what he looks like ... I liked him."

    GUY WHIMPER

    Kiper: "Is a gifted athlete, with great feet and good balance ... lack of experience (former defensive lineman)."

    MARCUS MCNEIL

    Kiper: "Has a huge, mountainous frame and decent feet."

    OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS

    Player School Ht. Wt. 40 BP/VJ R

    1, A.J. Hawk Ohio State 6-1 248 4.49 24/40 9.5

    2, Chad Greenway Iowa 6-2 1/2 242 4.58 19/38 9.1

    3, Ernie Sims Florida State 5-11 1/4 231 4.55 25/41 9.1

    4, Bobby Carpenter Ohio State 6-2 1/2 256 4.59 20/34 1/2 8.8

    5, DeMeco Ryans Alabama 6-1 1/4 236 4.65 23/39 8.8

    6, Roger McIntosh Miami, Fla. 6-2 1/8 237 4.63 18/41 1/2 8.8

    7, Thomas Howard Texas-El Paso 6-3 1/4 239 4.44 21/39 8.3

    A.J. HAWK

    NFL scout: "He's a great player ... he's the whole thing ... certainly a top-five guy ... only negative is his height ... great instinct ... can play run, rush the passer, play the pass... certainly better than Derrick Johnson (last year's top linebacker from Texas). Big-time player."

    CHAD GREENWAY

    NFL scout: "Probably the most athletic linebacker in the draft ... in coverage, he's excellent ... he's got feet, hips, change of direction ... he was not a good tackler ... big-time athlete."

    ERNIE SIMS

    NFL scout: "Thing that's gonna (downgrade him) is his height ... he's excellent ... he's sideline-to-sideline guy ... he's a better college player than (Bucs) Derrick Brooks ... this guy is explosive ... this guy and Hawk are the best two."

    BOBBY CARPENTER

    NFL scout: "He's a very good player ... he's a strong linebacker, excellent on the tight end ... can run ... just not as consistent as (teammate) Hawk."

    DEMECO RYANS

    NFL scout: "I liked him, but didn't seem like he was special ... I didn't see real explosion ... good instincts."

    ROGER MCINTOSH

    Kiper: "Ability to be very solid starting OLB in NFL, combining decent instincts for the position with excellent speed and athleticism."

    THOMAS HOWARD

    NFL scout: "Fast and athletic ... another one who's a good athlete ... something's missing with him."

    SAFETIES

    Player School Ht. Wt. 40 BP/VJ R

    1, Michael Huff Texas 6-0 204 4.37 21/40 1/2 9.4

    2, Donte Whitner Ohio State 5-10 1/8 204 4.37 18/40 9.1

    3, Jason Allen Tennessee 6-0 7/8 209 4.41 17/39 1/2 9.1

    4, Ko Simpson South Carolina 6-1 209 4.45 11/40 1/2 8.7

    9, Darnell Bing USC 6-2 227 4.53 21/38 8.3

    MICHAEL HUFF

    NFL scout: "He's good. He can play all four positions ... he's a natural corner ... a tall guy ... not a big-time hitter. ... The best DB I saw. ... put himself in the top 10 ... nice (40) time and great person."

    DONTE WHITNER

    NFL scout: "I really don't like him ... I thought he was stiff ... he's a tough guy but misses a lot of tackles ... another one of our scouts went out and gave him lower grade than me." JASON ALLEN

    NFL scout: "He's very good ... only thing is he dislocated his hip and missed most of season ... he has to be a safety ... I don't think he's quick enough to be a corner ... legitimate first-round talent."

    KO SIMPSON

    Kiper: "Although he's young (three years out of high school), Simpson has chance to have an immediate impact ... he is very instinctive; the game comes very easy to him."