2008 NFL Draft Preview
A Breakdown of Skill-Position Players Entering the 2008 NFL Draft
Apr 4, 2008
The 2008 Draft Class as always, is one with many questions up in the air, especially at the skill positions. Is Darren McFadden the next great back? Can Matt Ryan be the new-age Tom Brady? Can Limas Sweed avoid injury? Is Colt Brennan just a system quarterback? Is Joe Flacco the real deal? These are the toughest to predict professional success because of the risk of injury, and due to the huge step up in opposing competition, when making the jump to the NFL. Many college football stars have come and gone, without success, while backups and unknowns such as Tom Brady and Kurt Warner have won Super Bowls.
Soon enough, all questions will be answered, and we will all be proved horribly wrong, but here is a stab at making pointless predictions anyway. This is a breakdown of the 2008 NFL Draft Class' top quarterbacks, runningbacks, and wide-recievers.
QB
1.)Matt Ryan- Boston College 6'5 220lbs.
Good size, good arm, great poise under pressure. Could be a solid starter in the NFL, but not a
star.
2.)Chad Henne- Michigan 6'3 230lbs.
Strong arm, good size, mobile enough, injury prone.
3.)Joe Flacco- Delaware 6'6 232lbs.
Great size, strongest arm in class, faced questionable oppostion, limited mobility.
Projected Bust: Colt Brennan-Hawaii 6'2 185lbs.
Hasn't proved he can compete at an elite level. Despite gaudy numbers, looked like a boy
against men in Sugar Bowl. Slender build could be a problem when taking NFL hits. Hasn't
shown much maturity or poise.
RB
1.)Rashard Mendenhall- Illinois 5'10 225lbs. 40 Time: 4.45
Bigger and stronger than McFadden, better runner, protype build, no baggage.
2.)Felix Jones- Arkansas 5'11 205 lbs. 40 Time: 4.4
Very athletic, great acceleration, needs to put on some beef. Will be better pro than
McFadden.
3.)Tashard Choice- Georgia Tech 5'9 210lbs. 40 Time: 4.55
A doer. Very strong and decievingly quick. Doesn't go down without a fight. Plays with
passion. Injury prone.
Projected Bust: Darren McFadden- Arkansas 6'1 215lbs 40 Time: 4.4
Heisman Trophy Finalist. Too tall, runs waaay too tall. Takes too many unecessary hits. Questionable character. Thin lower body. Takes plays and whole games off. Looks great on paper, but definitely won't be another Adrian Peterson.
WR
1.)Desean Jackson- Cal 5'11 180lbs. 40 Time: 4.4
A burner, good hands, not very physical, too short.
2.) Limas Sweed- Texas 6'4 212lbs. 40 Time: 4.45
Prototype size and speed. Not great after the catch. Injury prone.
3.)Mario Manningham- Michigan 6'0 180lbs. 40 Time: 4.5
Not quite as fast as originally thought, good hands, questionable focus.
Sleeper: Andre Caldwell- Florida 6'0 205lbs. 40 Time: 4.3
Blazing speed, good hands, reliable, not afraid to go over the middle.
