UNRANKED PROSPECTS 

Meet the men of the 2007 Draft... 

THE MEN OF THE 2007 DRAFT. WHO ARE THEY, WHERE do they come from and what can they bring to NFL teams? Most of the following prospects will hear their names called up on April 28th and 29th. They may have not made our Top-100 ranking but they sure can play the game. Listed alphabetically by position, from quarterbacks to specialists... 

 QUARTERBACKS   

John Beck, Brigham Young
The Moutain West Conference's 2006 Player of the Year, Beck was highly productive in his final three years at BYU. Blessed with a very accurate arm, he is also a smart play-caller who will make the right throw and do it under pressure. Beck is a couple of years older than most QB prospects because he spent 2000 to 2002 on a mission in Portugal. That makes him both more mature, and a little less promising in terms of raw potential. Regardless, he is the type who can get up to speed quickly and he may be more NFL-ready than most QB prospects coming in. He just needs to step up and show that size and durability aren't issues.

Luke Getsy, Akron
An All-MAC honorable mention in 2006, Getsy overcame a slow start to his college career with some big numbers as a junior and senior. He excelled in a pro-style offense after at Akron after transferring from Pittsburgh, showing a knack for the short-pass game and for picking apart opposing defenses. Getsy makes good reads and is mobile enough to improvise, and he is a polished and gutsy leader. His challenges as a pro will revolve around improving his arm strength and accuracy, and getting up to speed with the pace of the NFL game.

Toby Korrodi, Central Missouri State
An All-MIAA First-Teamer, Korrodi has an intriguing combination of size, strength, and small-school success. He finished his time at State as one of Division II's most prolific passers ever. Korrrodi is a big, somewhat mobile passer and blessed with excellent vision and a fantastic arm. He transferred from Northern State midway through his college career, but showed much-improved decision-making skills and accuracy after the switch. Korrodi is also a little more grown up than many prospects, as he has a wife and three kids.

Matt Moore, Oregon State
A talented athlete, Moore is the essence of a late bloomer. Early in his college career he seemed on the fast track to success, challenging for the starting job for two years at UCLA. A knee injury led to some rough numbers, and in 2004 Moore transferred to College of the Canyons, where he didn't play football. That year he was drafted by baseball's Anaheim Angels (in the 22nd round), a testament to his physical gifts. Moore then caught on with Oregon State in 2005. In 2006 he had a great campaign and showed much-improved accuracy. Moore is a very talented project, but is probably a few years away from competing for a job in the pro ranks.

Tyler Palko, Pittsburgh
Palko is a true leader on the field and a tough competitor. While he doesn't have elite overall tools (possessing average NFL size, arm strength, and mobility for his position), Palko makes up for it with smart and gutsy play-calling. He certainly isn't limited physically, and his lefty arm motion gives him an edge on defenses. Palko looked great during his soph and senior seasons, but struggled as a junior under then new head coach Dave Wannstedt. His accuracy really improved as a senior, however. Palko is a bit of a sleeper, who may end up starting in the NFL.

Jordan Palmer, UTEP
A productive college passer and a good leader, Palmer has most of the qualities NFL teams want in an QB prospect. He's very tall, fairly strong and athletic, and has a lot of experience as a starter. As the younger brother of NFL star QB Carson Palmer, Jordan obviously has natural talent. That said, he has much to prove in terms of execution. While he threw a lot of TD passes for UTEP, he piled up the INTs too. His mechanics and play-reading are also questionable, so he's a project at this point. Still, there's no denying his raw tools and genes.

James Pinkney, East Carolina
He didn't get a lot of hype playing for the Pirates, but East Carolina's Pinkney has some NFL promise. Productive and consistent over the past three years, Pinkney has a solid combination of experience, athleticism, and upside. He is still somewhat raw at the finer points of his position, but Pinkney has a good arm and very good mobility. He also has nice size and field vision, although he is still learning how to pick his spots. Pinkney is a sleeper, but one who could pay dividends down the road in the right system for the right patient team.

Jeff Rowe, Nevada
A former All-WAC Second Teamer and Nevada's MVP in 2006, Rowe has ideal size and leadership abilities. He showed a knack for making smart plays at Nevada, especially in the short-pass game. Despite his size, Rowe is not a deep thrower and he occasionally will get in trouble trying to go deep. His dump-pass efficiency is partially a function of his general immobility, as he isn't much of a threat to scramble. Rowe might be best suited to a West Coast system. He has the play-reading ability and style to excel in it.

Isaiah Stanback, Washington
There are good athletes at quarterback in this draft, and then there's Stanback. Blessed with elite size, elite speed, and incredible overall athleticism, he played both wideout and quarterback in his time at Washington. Stanback was also a track standout for the Huskies as a sprinter, and was good enough at baseball in high school that the Baltimore Orioles drafted him this year in the 45th round. Stanback is still pretty raw as a passer, but showed improvement in that area before a season-ending foot injury. He's a project, but might eventually be a Matt Jones type in the pros as a receiver.

Zac Taylor, Nebraska
The Big 12's Offensive Player of the Year, Taylor had quite a journey en route to Division I greatness. He started out at Wake Forest but barely played there over two years, then transferred to junior college in 2004. Playing for Butler County CC, he became a prolific JUCO quarterback and an NJCAA All-American. That got him noticed by Nebraska, and he won their starting job in 2005. In two years as a Cornhusker, Taylor showed superb leadership and improvement. He lacks great athleticism and arm strength, but is a very smart and intense leader. May surprise people as a Chad Pennington type.

Jared Zabransky, Boise State
An All-WAC Second-Teamer in 2006, Zabransky brings a unique combination of speed, versatility, and intensity. He primarily played quarterback for Boise State, but also contributed at wideout and safety, while running the ball like a tailback. Zabransky has elite wheels for his position and may be the best scrambling QB available. His accuracy as a passer was a little rough until his senior season, but he has made big strides in that area. He's fairly raw in most areas, but the raw tools and drive to succeed are there. He may be a special teamer for awhile to start.

 RUNNING BACKS   

Lorenzo Booker, Florida State
A superb athlete with good leadership ability, Booker suffered during his final couple of seasons at Florida State because of a time-share situation. That's a testament to his school's depth at running back, but also raises questions about Booker's drive to step up. Regardless, he has top-tier speed and is an above-average receiver for a tailback, able to execute plays and also improvise after first contact. He was a top prospect coming out of high school who never quite lived up to the hype, so Booker has both upside and doubts surrounding him heading into his NFL career. He also needs to bulk up to take the next step.

Ahmad Bradshaw, Marshall
A prolific producer in Marshall's runner-friendly setup, Bradshaw finished with the eighth-most rushing yards in the nation in 2006. Much of that success was thanks to Bradshaw's fantastic instincts as a runner. Few runners in this draft are as good at reading plays, and Bradshaw has a knack for seeing things before they happen and exploiting the action. That helps make up for a lack of elite size or speed. Bradshaw also isn't much of a blocker, so early on his career may be limited in the NFL to third-down duty and / or special teams. Still, he's a sleeper who may eventually end up starting in the NFL.

Kolby Smith, Louisville
Mostly a backup during his time at Louisville, Smith nevertheless has the talent to be a solid NFL tailback. His combination of power and quickness make him a very well-rounded back, and his excellent hands and blocking ability add to his appeal as a solid option in most offensive situations. He excelled for the Cardinals whenever given the chance, and only his lack of elite speed seems to be an issue with his upside. Smith is the cousin of Bears All-Pro safety Mike Brown, so he has good bloodlines. He may be a major steal if he lands in the right program.

Ramonce Taylor, Texas College
Like a few of the other premier offensive prospects in this draft, Taylor has a lot of talent but some significant questions about his character. He has elite quickness and is very elusive, the type of runner who can make something out of nothing as both tailback and return man. Unfortunately, nothing also described his 2006 season, which didn't happen after he was made ineligible due to academic problems. A drug arrest also added to his troubles, so it's obvious Taylor has issues to resolve about his maturity level. If he can sort things out, he has the potential to be a real sleeper.

Garrett Wolfe, Northern Illinois
An All-American and a two-time MAC Offensive Player of the Year, Wolfe led the nation in rushing yardage with 158 per game. So why isn't he a more heralded player? Size (or, a lack thereof), and a lack of elite competition. Wolfe put up major numbers, but some scouts question whether his frame or skills will hold up to the NFL pounding. He also didn't work as a return man for Northern Illinois, giving him fewer early options in his eventual transition to the NFL. Wolfe certainly has the speed and moves to succeed carrying the ball, but his injury history and limited game make him a somewhat risky prospect. Could be a steal, or a bust.

Dwayne Wright, Fresno State
An All-WAC Second Teamer in 2006, Wright was productive when he was on the field. A serious knee injury kept him out for most of the 2004 season, but he bounced back nicely and had a stellar senior campaign. Wright reads plays well and uses anticipation and timing to hit his marks, usually finding holes and using his size to plow through them. That said, he's not particularly powerful or creative with the ball, and so depends a lot on his teammates for success. Wright might make a nice lead blocker or goal-line type, especially because of his good hands.

DeShawn Wynn, Florida
If not for some nagging injuries in his final year at Florida, Wynn might have put up more impressive numbers. Blessed with good bulk and speed, Wynn flashes some brilliant moves on occasion. He reads plays well and is aggressive through holes, and has the agility to adjust and make cuts. Wynn's biggest issue is a perceived lack of intensity and work ethic, and that seems to limit his upside. He certainly has the talent to be a good NFL tailback, but needs to prove he's committed to making it happen.

 FULLBACKS   

Cory Anderson, Tennessee
Anderson is one of the most accomplished blockers in his class. A converted defensive end, he has has elite size and bulk for his position, and combined with his excellent feet he can be a real load for defenders. Offensively it's hard to know how talented he might be because he was almost never used as a runner by the Vols. He was fairly reliable as a receiver, making him almost more of a tight end. Conditioning may be an issue as well. A raw prospect, Anderson nonetheless can block starting out, and may eventually round out to be a goal-line guy in the NFL.

Jackie Battle, Houston
Despite being a late bloomer with an injury history, Battle is one of the more intriguing backfield prospects in the draft. His rare mix of size, power, and athleticism suggest he may be able to become an elite goal-line back in the NFL. If he were a more accomplished blocker or pass-catcher, Battle might be an elite prospect in this draft. Unfortunately, he is still very raw and somewhat of an injury risk, so he may not be an ideal fit for every team. If he lands with a squad looking for help at the goal-line or in short-yardage situations, Battle could surprise early.

LeRon McClain, Alabama
Despite a lack of outstanding speed, size, or college productivity, some prospects are simply excellent football players. McClain fits into that category. While not small or slow per se, he won't wow anyone with his measurables and he didn't fill score sheets at Alabama. That said, McClain is a very skilled, strong, and team-first player who is a strong lead blocker. He also has superb hands for his position, meaning he might be used as a situational goal-line guy in an H-back role. McClain doesn't project as a star, but he is the type who might have a long NFL career.

Gijon Robinson, Missouri Western
Some think he might be an NFL fullback, and others see Robinson as a tight end. That versatility suggests Robinson has the potential to be an H-back at the next level, and he certainly has the ball-catching ability and running ability to succeed. Robinson is a well-rounded offensive player who uses his bulk and solid speed to get the most out of his carries. He is unfortunately limited as a blocker, something he needs to work on if he is going to make the transition to the next level. Robinson could become a solid outlet for the right team in the NFL.

Derek Schouman, Boise State
An accomplished and sure-handed target, this All-WAC honoree is a bit of a fullback-tight end 'tweener. He is at his best catching the football, but he is also a solid runner who will not go down easily. Schouman is a passable athlete who has a good head for the game and knows where to be at the right time, making him a big asset in the passing game. He is only average as a blocker, though, so needs to work on that as takes the step to the pros.

 WIDE RECEIVERS   

Aundrae Allison, East Carolina
In two years with East Carolina, Allison was named to the All-Conference USA squad. He caught on quickly in Division I after spending two years at the JuCo level, where he was a standout for Georgia Military Academy. Allison is a very athletic target with speed to burn and very good hands, a promising combination of gifts. That said, he's also pretty raw and still has much to learn about his craft. Allison's raw speed gives him upside as both a receiver and return man, but he may need awhile to adjust to the NFL game.

David Ball, New Hampshire
With 58 career touchdowns and 304 catches, Ball is easily the most productive receiver in the history of Division I-AA. How productive? He broke Jerry Rice's all-time NCAA record for receiving scores. While he's not fast by any means, Ball is a super route-runner who uses his supreme leaping ability to make great catches. He was a high jumper on the New Hampshire track team, so his NFL prospects suggest he's more of a possession guy than a vertical threat. He might be a classic small-school wonder-then-NFL-bust type, but he also might be a major sleeper.

David Clowney, Virginia Tech
Clowney has speed to burn. Probably known more for his exploits as a track runner than as a receiver, he showed in spurts as a Hokie that he can translate those jets into big plays on the football field. Clowney didn't get many opportunities to be the No.1 guy in the Virginia Tech system, but he has the talent to be a very good wideout. He needs to hit the weights and bulk up, and if he does then Clowney may surprise some by becoming a solid deep threat in the NFL.

Craig Davis, LSU
Somewhat overlooked at LSU because of injuries and more-heralded teammates, Davis nonetheless has all the goods to be an above-average NFL wideout. Blessed with very good size, elite speed, and possibly the best hands in his draft class, Davis has all the goods to be a starter at the next level. The problem is he wasn't very durable or terribly productive at LSU. He may start his NFL career on special teams as a return man (something he excels at) but with the right team and a little patience, could emerge as a surprisingly effective deep threat.

Jacoby Jones, Lane
A superb all-around athlete, Jones was a Division II All-America Second-Teamer in 2006. While he was not exactly dominant at the Division II level, Jones is one of the top sleepers in this year's draft. He was originally a track star who has also played basketball at the college level, so his focus on football is relatively recent. Jones was relatively productive at Lane as both a receiver and return man, and may be even better in the pros. Very raw, but with major upside.

Laurent Robinson, Illinois State
Prolific at the Division I-AA level, Robinson was an All-American as a junior. His production was more than cut in half as a senior, mostly because Robinson suffered an ankle injury that slowed him down. Blessed with jets and excellent size, Robinson is a smooth receiver who is capable of making big plays and dominating when he's on. In college that made up somewhat for his inadequate effort as a blocker, but in the pros he will need to work on that part of his game. His combination of height, jets, and natural ball-catching ability could pay off for a patient team.

Courtney Taylor, Auburn
Physically gifted and still possessing intriguing upside, Taylor didn't quite build on a strong start to his college career. He was an All-SEC Freshman Teamer and then an all-conference honorable mention as a soph, but his junior campaign was a letdown. Taylor then improved enough as a senior to regain his status as a prospect on the rise, although he didn't quite put up elite numbers. He projects as a possession guy at the NFL level, capable of making sneaky-good catches and blocking for his fellow receivers.

Mike Walker, Central Florida
Selected for the All-Conference USA Second-Team as a junior, Walker was even more productive as a senior. That was impressive considering he needed knee surgery after his 2005 campaign for a torn ACL. Walker might be more heralded if he had played only wideout in college, rather than also spending significant time at cornerback for his first two seasons. He has very good timed speed, but probably needs more experience and more muscle to develop the confidence needed to become a big-play guy in the NFL. He's a deep-threat talent who plays like a possession guy, only without great blocking.

Paul Williams, Fresno State
Named to the All-WAC First Team as a junior, Williams has above-average size and speed for a wideout. He really excelled in 2005, but his senior campaign was a definite letdown. Williams is a very talented pure receiver, able to find a way to get open on his own and either out-run or out-leap his defenders. The problem is he doesn't seem to focus on the little things, like route-running and blocking. That suggests he might be a bust of a pick, but his great talent-level suggests he might also be a steal.

 TIGHT ENDS   

Michael Allan, Whitworth College
A Division III All-American, Allen showed solid progress during his time with Whitworth. Extremely productive during his final two seasons in college, Allan is nevertheless a pretty raw prospect in terms of NFL readiness. Then again, he has the pure tools to eventually become a starting tight end or H-back if he keeps working. Allan has top-end speed and fantastic size, a rare combination. He also possesses great hands and toughness, suggesting he could become a top tight end. He's a project (especially as far as blocking goes), but a promising one.

Kevin Boss, Western Oregon
Blessed with above-average size, athleticism, and hands for a tight end, Boss was dominant at times in the Great Northwest conference. He also played basketball for Western Oregon, which helped a great deal with his footwork and leaping ability. Boss is above all a great ball-catcher who can rise above defenders and pull down passes with superb hands. He is also a solid blocker, but needs a lot of work to get up to speed skill-wise at the next level. He also has some lingering concerns about injuries. Still, Boss is a nice sleeper with all the tools.

Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame
While not quite as accomplished as some of his fellow Fightin' Irish draftees, Freeman is nonetheless a very serviceable tight end. He does a little bit of everything well, and despite his lack of ideal size of speed, Freeman gets the job done. It's hard to say how much pure talent he has as a receiving target, because Freeman wasn't used much in the Notre Dame attack. Still, he is a solid blocker coming from a good program, and Freeman will bring professionalism and hard work to the field every day.

Clark Harris, Rutgers
A perennial All-Big East selection, Harris was a highly productive receiver for Rutgers. His consistency was impressive, as he simply piled up catches game in, game out for several seasons. Harris is a pretty polished route-runner who is good at improvising when needed, and will go out of his way to complete a catch. While not an elite athlete, he's not slow or stiff and he has excellent size. Harris can also help out on special teams in the long-snap game, which will help him early on in his career. He needs a lot of work on his blocking.

Matt Herian, Nebraska
If Herian had declared for the draft after his sophomore season, he might be much more heralded. He was a rookie standout and then in his second season was a semi-finalist for the John Mackey Award (for the nation's top tight end). As a junior he broke his leg, missed all of 2005, and when he made it back to the field he was much less featured as a senior. Herian still has great hands and overall athleticism, along with good raw size. He needs a lot of work in bulking up and blocking, but in terms of raw goods he's promising. A project, and sleeper.

Martrez Milner, Georgia
An All-SEC First-Team selection, Milner is an excellent athlete at the tight end position. Big, mobile, and fluid, Milner moves like a wideout but has the size of a defensive end. Many expected him to have a breakout in 2006, his first season as a starter after backing up Leonard Pope. Despite his All-conference honors, Milner was benched for stretches because of an inability to make catches. Minor injuries were also a problem. Milner has all the tools to be a starter at the next level, but must show he can get and stay focused.

Joe Newton, Oregon State
A Pac-10 honorable mention, Newton brings appealing size, skill, and well-roundedness to the football field. If not for a season-robbing foot injury in his junior year, Newton might be regarded as one of the very elite tight end prospects in the draft. He is a very good blocker and also a very reliable goal-line target, capable of out-jumping and out-sizing opponents in the mid-range game. His lack of elite athleticism and his injury history are issues, but with a little patience the right team might have a real steal at tight end in Newton.

Jake Nordin, Northern Illinois
While not very productive statistically at Northern Illinois, Nordin has a solid skill-set for a tight end prospect. He showed proficiency (if not dominance) as a blocker at Northern Illinois, where the team didn't employ him very much as a pass target. Despite that, Nordin has the potential to be a solid outlet option, even though he isn't very fast or long-limbed as a target. He showed he can adapt to what his team needs, and NFL teams often find places for guys like that.

Dante Rosario, Oregon
A very good athlete who has played three positions (linebacker, fullback, and tight end), Rosario has appealing versatility. Perhaps his pure athletic gifts were a bit of a curse, because he and Oregon took awhile settling on a firm position for Rosario, meaning he doesn't have great overall technique as a tight end. His size is also a bit questionable for the position, but Rosario is physically gifted enough that he may be able to quickly evolve into an H-back in the NFL. He certainly has the hands, mobility, and bulk for it.

Samuel Smith, Florida International
Blessed with a great pair of hands and a clutch mentality, Smith was Florida International's top receiving target in 2006. While not particularly large or fast, he has a deceptive athleticism and fluidity that helps him make catches that seem effortless. He was considered an elite tight end in his conference during the past couple of years, and his hands and mobility suggest he may be able to succeed occasionally as a slot receiver or H-back. He needs to get stronger, and work on his blocking.

Matt Spaeth, Minnesota
The John Mackey Award winner as the nation's top tight end, Spaeth was also the Golden Gophers' team MVP in 2006. Highly productive and a physically dominant receiver, Spaeth is also a great blocker. He excels at everything a tight end should do, and is also the type who can become a team leader in the NFL (as evidenced by his ability to play through pain, and his winning of the Big Ten's 2006 Sportsmanship Award). The only questions for him regard his pure athleticism and his durability. Possibly the draft's most well-rounded tight end.

Chad Upshaw, Buffalo
While not a big-time producer stats-wise at Buffalo, Upshaw has upside for several reasons. His mix of excellent size, work ethic, and impressive family history. His uncle is former NFLer Gene Upshaw, and his father played first base for the Toronto Blue Jays for several years. At this point Upshaw projects as a developmental prospect, as he is very raw physically in terms of bulk, conditioning, and blocking technique. That said, Upshaw is a focused young man who may be able to overcome his below-average speed to become a well-rounded NFL tight end.