2007 DRAFT PROSPECT PROFILES: RBs

(Ed note: Players not necessarily listed in order of grade)

Calvin Johnson, Georgia Tech… 6-4, 235, 4.35, JR... Freakish physical specimen who is going to blow NFL teams away at the combine in February; has size, incredible speed with a projected sub-4.4 40 time; also has a reported 45 inch vertical leap; also has long arms and big hands; has excellent agility and body control for a big man. Runs decent routes, but could be crisper running shorter routes; Great leaper who is an effective red zone target as he will battle for the ball when its in the air; decent runner with the ball after the catch; good hands and concentartion but still makes too many body catches; will make the tough catch in traffic; Great work ethic and in an era of eccentric, egomaniac star WRs is as quiet and humble as they come. Despite playing in a run-oriented offense and facing constant double-teaming since very early in his career, Johnson finished his Tech tenure with 160 career receptions on which he averaged over 16 yards per catch; had 59 catches in 2006, 13 of which went for scores, despite being hampered much of the year by  anagging ankle injury; also drew a ton of pass interference and defensive holding calls during his 3 years at Tech. Summary: Size and speed make him a potential mismatch problem for defenses across the NFL; should be a top 5 prospect this year and could ultimately rate as #1 prospect overall.

Ted Ginn Jr., Ohio State… 5-11, 180, 4.30, JR… Very likely the fastest player in college football and an electrifying threat to score every time he touches the ball. Has been timed at 10.5 seconds in the 100 meter dash and was a national champion 110M high hurdler in high school; Expected to be timed in under 4.3 seconds for the 40 when he finally runs for pro scouts this spring; also very quick; dangerous punt and kick returner; also a dangerous weapon on gadget plays like reverses and screens; while an incredible physical talent with plenty of upside, Ginn is not all that a sophisticated receiver; has only average hands and doesn’t run particularly precise routes; also isn’t all that big and will struggle to beat the jam; isn't very physical and isn't much of a blocker. Ginn had 59 receptions in 2006 for just over 13 yards per catch and 9 TDs; also averaged 11 yards per punt return and 24 on KOs; actually had better return numbers earlier in career when he averaged an incredible 25.6 yards a punt return as a soph; actually came to Ohio State as a top-rated CB and reportedly still prefers the position; didn’t participate at combine because he’s still not 100% with a foot injury suffered after he returned the opening KO at this year’s BCS title game for a TD… Summary: One of the wild cards of the 2007 draft class; has top 10 physical potential, but receiving skills aren’t quite at that level; ability to return kicks adds value and should keep him in the top half of this year’s opening round.

Dwayne Jarrett, Southern California… 6-5, 210, SR… The latest in a long line of outstanding big USC receivers, although not all have enjoyed success at the next level. A two-time All-American, Jarrett has excellent size, and very good hands. Rangy receiver with exceptional leaping ability and a flare for the acrobatic catch. Had over 200 total receptions for almsot 3,000 yards in three-year Trojans' career, including 91 for over 1,200 yards in 2005 when he was almost uncoverable. Productivity dipped to just 58 catches in 2005 when he was slowed by several nagging injuries including a shoulder problem. Averaged around 14 yards per catch in career. Gets in and out of his breaks crisply and can make the tough catch in traffic, but isn't a major threat with the ball after the catch. In fact, big question for Jarrett in the pre-draft testing epriod will be just how fast he is; thought to be more quick than a true burner; however, does have that extra gear when the ball is in the air. Listed at close to 210 pounds but isn't necessarily all that physical; indeed, has a slender lower body; still able to get some separation working against man-to-man coverage and can keep defenders off the ball. Average blocker who needs to improve upper body strength to get better at that aspect of the game. Summary: Time will tell! Certainly has the look of a top-10 selection, but needs to post some decent 40 times at post-season workouts to ensure hig grade.


Dwayne Bowe, LSU… 6-2, 222, 4.55, SR… One of the emerging stars of the 2007 draft class, particularly after dominating at the Senior Bowl; productive receiver with the Tigers who had 154 career catches including 65 in 2006; also posted 26 career TDs; physical receiver who has been compared to Anquan Boldin of Arizona; has a solid frame and long arms; uses body well to shield defenders away from the ball; excellent red-zone target as he is an athletic leaper with good body control and ball skills; has big hands and catches everything away from his body; will make the tough catch in traffic over the middle; can find the soft spot in zones but doesn’t run the crispest routes; lacks sprinter speed but is a long strider who plays faster than he times (4.55), also doesn’t get much separation on deep routes; also doesn’t really explode out of cuts; also tended to drop a lot of passes early in his career but had eye surgery after junior year and started to wear contacts and improved in that area as a senior; willing blocker; still relatively raw though as he didn’t start playing football until his junior year in high school; character player who works hard… Summary: Rising prospect with a lot of upside who moved into the top 4-5 receivers with a solid Senior Bowl week; has all the tools to be a solid receiver at the next level except second-gear speed.

Robert Meacham, Tennessee… 6-3, 210, 4.40, JR.. Potential big-play receiver with an exceptional combination of size and speed. Expected to run in the 4.35-4.40 range if not faster during pre-draft workouts; solid 210-pounder although not considered to be that physical a player; not a great blocker and will struggle to get off the jam at times; prefers to work the sideline rather than coming over the middle; considered a major underachiever his first two years at Tennessee, but had a breakout campaign in 2006 when he lead the SEC in receiving yardage as he hauled in 71 passes for just under 1,300 yards and 17 TDs. Has good quickness and explosion to compliment sprinter speed; also has extra gear to extend on deep routes, but isn’t a particularly polished route runner; has long arms and will snatch ball out of the air, although he didn’t always catch the ball all that well early in his career; will break tackles after catch and is dangerous open field runner; generally durable player but did need to redshirt in 2003 because of knee injury... Summary: Vertical threat with exceptional speed who has moved into top group of 5-6 receivers with mid-first round ability, but could go higher if he runs as expected at combine.

Jarrett Hicks, Texas Tech… 6-3, 210, SR… Has been one of the most productive receivers in the country with almost 200 career receptions, although best year was sophomore campaign; had very disappointing senior season in which he played in just 6 games because of academics and had but 25 catches. Not a true blazer with 4.55 type speed, also not an explosive-type receiver either coming off the line of scrimmage or with the ball in his hands; catches the ball well and is a very physical receiver. Summary: Productive college receiver with some size, but probably lacks the speed to rate more than an early second day selection.

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