Marshal Yanda, Iowa Hawkeyes

2007-nfl-draft

Marshal Yanda, 6’ 4” 305 lbs. Iowa

Sticking to the offensive line theme, I want to highlight an excellent NFL Prospect for the 2007 NFL Draft from Iowa named Marshal Yanda. He is a good sized, well coached prospect with excellent mobility and athletic ability. Yanda is still learning and improving, so he will be a little bit of a project, but he has good upside because he has improved so much in so short of a time, there is every reason to think he can continue improving. Yanda played just two years of Division I Football, his first two collegian years he played Junior College Football with Northern Iowa Area Community College in Mason City. He has started every game for the Hawks since his transfer, and in his first year (2005) he started at left guard and won the Hawkeye Hustle Award. Last season (2006), he moved to right tackle and performed brilliantly; he was a pre-season second team all-Big Ten selection by The Sporting News and was named 18th best tackle in the nation by The Sporting News. Mel Kiper loves this kid; he was even on his infamous big board for a while. I mentioned earlier that he was well coached, well his former head coach was a former NFL offensive line coach (Kirk Ferentz), and he was also tutored this season by former Nebraska assistant coach Dave Gillespie. Most “draft gurus” have him listed as a tackle, but in my opinion his position in the NFL will be guard. I project him to be a quality late-second to early-third round pick in the 2007 NFL Draft. He does look a little soft to me though. He will need to get in the weight room and start doing some serious power lifting to be a force in the NFL, but one good off-season in an NFL strength and conditioning program should do the trick. Check out an excellent highlight video of Yanda here: Marshal Yanda Video

In the Trenches

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In the trenches is where most football games are won or lost. Most teams hesitate on using a high draft pick for the hogs in the trenches, so I want to highlight a couple NFL Prospects that should be available in rounds 3-5 in the 2007 NFL Draft. The first prospect is a very talented offensive guard from Akron: Andy Alleman, is a 6’ 4” 305 pound mauler that is exceptionally quick and as strong as a bear. He transferred from Pittsburgh prior to the 2004 season where he played defensive line for two years. Alleman moved to offensive line in the spring of 2005 and is considered to be one of the strongest players on the team, holding numerous lifting records. He was named by ESPN.com in the spring as one of the nation’s “workout freaks”. Alleman was named most valuable lineman and weight lifter of the year in the annual post season awards banquet. Alleman is very under rated prospect, he didn’t even win any All-Conference awards in the MAC, but he has been invited to participate in the 2007 NFL Combine where I predict he will emerge as a top NFL Draft Prospect.

The second prospect is much better known, but has fallen off the radar screen since he was suspended early in the season for missing classes. Kyle Young from Fresno State is one of the biggest centers to enter the NFL Draft in recent memory. At 6’ 5” 330 pounds, he is a man mountain. Young was considered to even be a possible first round draft pick in the 2006 Pre-season, he started at Fresno State at center in the beginning of his freshman year in 2003, and started 47 consecutive games before his suspension. He was on the Rimington Watch list as the nation's top center in his first three years and a consensus pre-season All-WAC awardee. Due to his suspension, his draft stock has dropped, and character issues have surfaced. NFL scouts probably feel if the senior All-American center decided to skip class, his dedication and commitment could be in question. Interestingly, he was a surprise omission for the 2007 NFL Combine, so he will have to have a good “Pro Day” workout. Young did show up at the Shrine game and played the entire second half. He did a decent job, but isn't real mobile, he looked a little heavy and wore two huge knee braces on both knees. Some think he might project to guard at the next level. Regardless, if he stays (gets) committed to football and keeps his weight down, he could be a late round steal in the 2007 NFL Draft.

Salary Cap Numbers for NFL Teams

Current salary Cap Numbers as released by the NFL:

(in millions of dollars)

San Francisco - $37.6
Tennessee - $37.3
Buffalo - $33.2
Arizona – $32.1
New England - $26.6
Cleveland - $26.6
Green Bay - $24.8
St. Louis - $22.9
New Orleans - $21.7
Jacksonville - $21.6
NY Jets - $21.1
San Diego - $20.9
Cincinnati - $18.2
Dallas - $17.2
Seattle - $17.2
Chicago - $17
Houston - $16.5
Detroit - $15.6
Tampa Bay - $15.1
Miami - $13.1
Minnesota - $12.4
NY Giants - $9.4
Oakland - $6.2
Kansas City - $5.1
Washington - $4.3
Atlanta - $3.9
Baltimore - $3.6
Philadelphia - $3.5
Pittsburgh - $3.3
Denver - $2.6
Carolina - $1.8
Indianapolis - $.6

Safety LaRon Landry, LSU

2006 First-team All-America pick, named the winner of the George M Wallace Memorial Award after leading the Tigers with 68 tackles during the 2006 season.
2005 Third-Team All-American (AP)
2005 First-Team All-SEC (SEC Coaches)
2005 Second-Team All-SEC (AP)
2004 Second-Team All-SEC (SEC Coaches)

2004 SEC Academic Honor Roll

2003 First-Team Freshmen All-American (Football Writer's Association, Collegefootballnews.com)

2003 Second-Team All-SEC (AP)

2003 Freshmen All-SEC Team (Coaches, Knoxville News-Sentinel, The Sporting News)

One of the top rated defensive back prospects in the nation is Safety Laron Landry from LSU. Landry would have been a first round draft pick if he would have entered the 2006 NFL Draft last year, and now after a strong senior season he should be a top 10 pick in the 2007 NFL Draft.

Landry hits like a linebacker but runs and covers like a cornerback. He really has no weakness, he is big and strong enough at 6-2 208 to play strong safety, but also has the coverage ability and speed to play free safety.

Landry has led LSU in tackles two of the past three seasons. Very durable, with 35 consecutive starts in 2006, which began with 10 straight starts as a true freshman to cap LSU's National Championship season in 2003. As a junior he finished with 241 career tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 9 interceptions and 7 sacks. This year (2006) he finished as the teams top tackler with 68 tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss, 1 sack, 4 pass break-ups and 4 QB hurries. He would be a great fit for a team needing a free safety like the Dallas Cowboys.

Watch highlight video of this amazing NFL Prospect here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvKaO78Ov2I

More information on LaRon Landry can be found here:
http://www.answers.com/topic/laron-landry

Unofficial 2007 Senior Bowl invitees

Quarterbacks:
Brady Quinn, Notre Dame
Drew Stanton, Michigan State
Troy Smith, Ohio State
Jordan Palmer, UTEP
Kevin Kolb, Houston
Trent Edwards, Stanford
John Beck, BYU will fill in.

Running Back/Fullback
Brian Leonard, Rutgers
Kenny Irons of Auburn
Tony Hunt of Penn State
Garrett Wolfe of Northern Illinois
Ken Darby, Alabama

Tight End
Joe Newton, Oregon State
Scott Chandler, Iowa
Ben Patrick, Delaware

Wide Receiver
David Clowney, Virginia Tech
Jason Hill, Washington State
Jeff Samardzija, Notre Dame
Johnnie Lee Higgins, Notre Dame
Aundrae Allison, East Carolina
Brandon Myles, West Virginia
Paul Williams, Fresno State
Steve Smith, USC

Offensive Linemen
C Ryan Kalil, USC
C Dan Mozes of West Virginia
C Doug Datish, Ohio State
C Leroy Harris, North Carolina State
G Samson Satele Hawaii
G Ben Grubbs Auburn
G Manny Ramirez, Texas Tech
G Arron Sears, Tennessee
OT Joe Thomas, Wisconsin
OT Levi Brown, Penn State
OT Ryan Harris Notre Dame
OT Joe Staley, Central Michigan

Defensive Linemen
DT Tank Tyler, North Carolina State
DT Brandon Mebane, California
DT Amobi Okoye, Louisville
DT Quinn Pitcock from Ohio State
DT Paul Soliai, Utah
DT Kareem Brown, Miami-Fl.
DE Gaines Adams, Clemson
DE Quentin Moses, Georgia
DE Ray McDonald, Florida
DE Adam Carriker, Nebraska
DE Jay Moore, Nebraska
De Mkristo Bruce, Washington State
DE/OLB Lamar Woodley Michigan
DE/OLB Anthony Spencer of Purdue

Linebackers
Earl Everett, Florida
Kevin McLee West Virginia's
Rufus Alexander, Oklahoma
H.B. Blades of Pittsburgh
Patrick Willis, Mississippi
Buster Davis, FSU.
David Harris, Michigan

Defensive Backs
Cornerbacks:
Leon Hall, Michigan
Tanard Jackson, Syracuse
Aaron Ross, Texas
Fred Bennett, South Carolina
David Irons, Auburn
Jonathan Wade, Tennessee
Daymeion Hughes, California
Marcus McCauley, Fresno State
Safeties:
LaRon Landry, LSU
Brandon Meriweather, Miami-Fl
Aaron Rouse, Virginia Tech
Michael Griffin, Texas
Eric Weddle, Utah
Michael Johnson, Arizona
Tom Zbikowski, Notre Dame (Redshirt junior)

Kickers/Punters
place kicker Mason Crosby, Colorado
punter Daniel Sepulveda, Baylor

2007 Senior Bowl

The NFL Network will be showing the 2007 Senior Bowl as well as the entire week long of practices prior to the game. This should be some excellent live coverage for NFL Draft fans. Check back here, and at my sister blog nfl-draft-site.blogspot.com throughout the week and after the game for NFL Draft prospect analysis and coverage.

Starting on Monday 22 January, there will be week-long coverage with 14 hours of live practices throughout the week leading up to the all-star game on Saturday. Play-by-play will be called by Rich Eisen with commentary by Dick Vermeil and Mike Mayock. The game itself will be on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2007 and there will be 21 hours of live programming of the event.

Breaking News

Small school NFL Prospect coverage will now have its very own blog. if you are interested in the small school player please check out:
http://nfl-prospects.blogspot.com/

New Location

http://nfl-draft-site.blogspot.com
I have started a new blog, check back here and the new site for future NFL Draft updates, thank you for your participation.

Small School NFL players

I love small school players that make it in the NFL. It doesn't matter where, when or even if you get drafted, all that matters is what you do and how you play when you get that shot at the NFL. Small school players (prospects) present outstanding value for NFL teams because quite often they can get them as free agents or in the late rounds of the NFL Draft.

Here are some of the small school prospects (rookies) that made it into the NFL this year. Here are a few that I covered extensively prior to last year's NFL Draft.

1. WR Marques Colston, New Orleans (Hofstra)
Probably a lock for rookie of the year, after 12 games he has caught 66 balls for 1001 yards and recorded 7 TDs. I bragged about him last year, but he was still passed up in the NFL Draft by 251 other players. The Saints struck gold by getting him in the 7th round.

2. FS Daniel Manning, Chicago (Abiline Christian)
The starting free safety for the Bears, Manning has been outstanding in 14 games recording 59 tackles and 2 interceptions.

3. DE/OLB Jason Hunter, Green Bay (Appalachian State)
Undrafted, but he made the team. Hunter has bulked up from 220 to 255 pounds and at 6-3 he has the size to stick in the NFL. Listed on the depth chart as a back up defensive end, he is a ball hawk and should get a chance to start next year.
http://www.packers.com/team/players/hunter_jason/

4. FB A.J. Schable, Arizona (South Dakota)
OK maybe not a household name and he might never be, but as an undrafted free agent he made the active roster of the Cardinals and is listed on their depth chart as a back-up fullback. Pretty impressive for a kid that played defensive end for tiny South Dakota last year.

5. WR Miles Austin, Dallas (Monmouth)
I really thought Austin was going to get drafted last year so I was estatic when Dallas picked him up as a free agent. The Cowboys were/are very deep at receiver so it was quite a big deal for him to stay on the active roster. Parcels said he didn't want to take a chance on putting him on the practice squad because some other teams were already asking about him. Oh and did I mention he is currently the 2nd ranked kick returner in the NFC. http://www.nfl.com/stats/leaders/NFC/KRET/2006/regular
He is raw, but in a couple years we might see him starting at wideout for the Cowboys.

6. DE/OLB Brent Hawkins, Jacksonville (Illinois State)
One of my favorite small school players last year. He got drafted about where I thought he would in round five. He started out the year playing good football for the Jags, after 6 games he had a skill for getting to the QB with 7 tackles and 2 sacks. He is on IR with a groin injury now, but you should expect big things from him next year.

7. WR Brandon Marshal, Denver (Central Florida)
Marshal was actualy my favorite small school player last year. The Broncos stole him in the 4th round and they now have a gem. He is raw, he was a safety until his senior year in college, but at 6-4 230 pounds and 4.4 speed he is special. Shannahan is bringing him along slowly, he has played in 13 games recording 14 catches for 224 yards and 2 TDs. He looks like the replacement for the aging Rod Smith. If he keeps his head straight I look for him to be in the pro bowl in 2 years.

8. OG Jahri Evans, New Orleans (Bloomsburg)
How many teams would like to get a starting caliber guard in the fourth round? That is exactly what the Saints got when they drafted Evans, a fixture at guard for the next ten years if he stays healthy. Out of tiny Division II he wasn't given much of a chance in the first day of the draft. The Saints resurgence can at least partly be attributed to the play of Evans at Guard.
http://www.neworleanssaints.com/playerbio.cfm?playerid=347

Top 5

The final draft order isn't set yet, and the juniors haven't declared for the draft, but we can speculate a bit: Yes WR Calvin Johnson is a top five player, but I just couldn't squeeze him in.

1. Detroit Lions: QB Brady Quinn, Notre Dame
They have a lot of holes to fill and they might be gun-shy due to the Joey Harrington fiasco, but they need a QB for the future. Brady Quinn looks like the only franchise QB in this draft, unless Brian Brohm declares early. Once Detroit fell out of the playoff race they decided not to play Dan Orlovsky, that tells me he is not ready.

2. Oakland Raiders: WR Calvin Johnson, Georgia Tech
Will they go after another QB? Andrew Walter and Aaron Brooks have looked horrible. If QB Brian Brohm declares for the draft he might be an option. They might try to trade down and get an offensive tackle, OT Tony Uguh from Arkansas would be a good option because Robert Gallery has been a bust and Langston Walker and Brad Badger are not getting the job done. The Raiders just can't pass on Calvin Johnson; Randy Moss might not be back

3. Tampa Bay Bucs: (JR) DT Alan Branch, Michigan
They have lost Warren Sapp and Booger McFarland the last few years and the defense isn't the same. They might look at QB, Gradkowski doesn't look like NFL material to me, he got benched for journeymen Tim Rattay, but Chris Simms might be back next year. Branch is a monster with huge upside. Offensive tackle is another area of need, Anthony Davis and Jeremy Trueblood have not performed well at offensive tackle.

4. Arizona Cardinals: OT Joe Thomas, Wisconsin
Finaly set at QB, Leinart was very impressive; there is hope for the future. They look like a team that is on the verge of being very competetive, but they just can't run the ball. They really need to trade down and rebuild their offensive line, but if they stay here Thomas would be a good start.

5. Houston Texans: (JR) RB Marshawn Lynch, California
They must be nashing their teeth over passing on Reggie Bush and that will haunt them for years to come, but drafting Lynch if he comes out, might make people forget. This player is just fantastic.

Tis the season

With the NFL playoffs starting and many teams getting eliminated, fans are starting to think about next year and with that comes rebuilding the teams via the NFL Draft. My first installment will focus on the top 5 picks for the 2007 NFL Draft.