2010 NFL Draft Stock Up
Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame Jimmy Clausen was prolific on opening weekend, going 15-of-18 for 315 yards and four touchdowns. It was just Nevada, but this is what we’ve been waiting for from Clausen. Clausen is a legitimate first-round prospect if he declares early, and if he continues to put up those type of numbers, he could be the first quarterback taken in the 2010 NFL Draft.
Max Hall, QB, BYU Max Hall, Tim Hiller and Zac Robinson are all battling to be the first quarterback to be taken after the opening round, and it looks like Hall has taken the early lead. Hall was an amazing 26-of-38 for 329 yards, two touchdowns and a pair of picks against Oklahoma. Hall was very poised on BYU’s game-winning drive and showed great leadership in the Cougars’ upset victory. Hall made one mistake early in the game when he threw a pass across his body that was intercepted, but I’d say he atoned for that error.
Tony Moeaki, TE, Iowa Tony Moeaki has always shown promise, but has never been able to stay healthy. Moeaki opened up the 2009 season with 10 catches for 83 yards and a score, helping to lead Iowa in a comeback victory over fearsome Northern Iowa. If Moeaki can avoid injuries, he has a shot to be a mid-round pick.
Eric Norwood, DE/OLB, South Carolina There is no clear-cut favorite as the top rush linebacker in the 2010 NFL Draft, but that could quickly change if Eric Norwood continues to dominate his opponents like he did against N.C. State last week. Norwood finished with eight tackles, two TFL and two sacks. The Wolfpack didn’t have much of an answer for him.
2010 NFL Draft Stock Down
LeGarrette Blount, RB, Oregon I guess you can say that LeGarrette Blount knocked himself out of draft consideration. Following a dismal performance where Blount actually lost five yards on eight carries, the Oregon running back punched a Boise State player and then had to be restrained from attacking the fans. The overweight Blount was already a Round 4-5 prospect to begin with, so he’s now a long shot to be drafted.
Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma – Scouting Report Sam Bradford is the perfect example why any quarterback projected to be taken top-five overall should declare early. Stationed behind a poor offensive line, Bradford was 10-of-14 for 96 yards (6.9 YPA) and a score before suffering an injury that has knocked him out 2-4 weeks. Making matters worse, Bradford’s star tight end, Jermaine Gresham, is out for the year. Bradford is now in danger of being passed by Jevan Snead and Jimmy Clausen, though that obviously hasn’t happened yet.
Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State – Scouting Report Dez Bryant led the Cowboys with 77 receiving yards on three catches against Georgia, but those numbers mask the multiple drops and penalties he was guilty of. Bryant is a first-round talent, but looked like he had a Braylon Edwards-esque lack of focus on the field.
Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma – Scouting Report Jermaine Gresham is out for the year to repair torn carilage in his right knee. Gresham could still be drafted late in the first round, but this goes to show that like Sam Bradford, Gresham made a grave mistake by not declaring early.
Tim Hiller, QB, Western Michigan – Scouting Report So much for all the talk about Tim Hiller joining Sam Bradford and Jevan Snead in the first round. Hiller was 22-of-38 for 259 yards, one touchdown and two picks against Michigan. I thought Hiller would show more poise and leadership in a tough environment; instead, he looked rattled and could have tossed several more interceptions. Hiller needs to do more work to sneak into the first three rounds.
Kendall Hunter, RB, Oklahoma State Kendall Hunter carried the ball 23 times (for 75 yards) against Georgia, yet I was not wowed on any of his touches. Hunter went down on first contact every time, and essentially looked as bad as Willie Parker did against the Titans on Thursday night. He’s a late-round prospect in my eyes.
Jevan Snead, QB, Ole Miss With Sam Bradford out 2-4 weeks, Jevan Snead had the perfect opportunity to become the No. 1 quarterback in the 2010 class. Instead, Snead was a pedestrian 12-of-22 for 175 yards, two touchdowns and two picks versus lowly Memphis during the opening game of the season. Snead was very inaccurate and his mechanics were shot. This was only one game, so don’t read too much into it, but with more performances like this, Snead is in danger of falling behind Jimmy Clausen.
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