BOOM OR BUST DRAFT
In the twenty five years of following the NFL talent selections I have never seen a group of more boom or bust candidates than we have in this year’s upcoming draft. Let us look at some of the top prospects who could be huge bombs.
Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech.
PROJECTED: High in the first round.
PRO: Amazingly gifted natural athlete who can break a game open and take over – on the college level. Strong and with great size, scouts’ mouths water over his physical abilities.
CON: Played in a pass-happy system where he was rarely pressed on the line or double teamed because of Tech’s spread offense. Has not mastered the full route tree yet. Poor attitude. Has problems with authority and is super lazy in training. Diva in the making.
COULD BE: A Larry Fitzgerald, or another in a long list of first round WR diva busts.
Chris “Beanie” Wells, RB, Ohio State
PROJECTED: Between the fifth and 25th pick.
PRO: Large, fast and sees the hole quickly. Will punish you for trying to tackle him. DBs will have trouble with his speed.
CON: Injured all the time and coddled at OSU. Will he be able to handle the demands of a pro program and a 16 game season?
COULD BE: The next Eddie George or the next KiJana Carter.
Percy Harvin, WR, Florida
PROJECTED: Late first round
PRO: Great speed and work ethic while at Florida. Battled back from injury to play in National Title game. Special teams demon.
CON: Wasn’t asked to run many routes and is more unpolished than he thinks. Needs to be in the right offense. Many scouts fear the crowd he hangs out with.
COULD BE: The next David Boston if he doesn’t watch his company.
Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia
PROJECTED: first overall pick
PRO: Cannon of an arm and a love for the game. Reads defenses well and can run. Is what you look for physically in a QB for the pro game.
CON: Can become rattled and on Detroit he will be harried for the first few years. If he loses his confidence, the Lions are no better off than they were with Daunte Culpepper last season, but will be paying a LOT more for many seasons to come.
COULD BE: The next Drew Bledsoe or the next David Carr.
Mark Sanchez, QB, USC
PROJECTED: Top ten
PRO: Great arm and physical abilities. Loves the game and has shown flashes of brilliance during his two years playing for USC.
CON: Not a lot of experience and might have come out too early. Probably would be a second round pick in a strong QB draft class due to coming out so early. USC makes many QBs look good.
COULD BE: The next Matt Cassell or the next Matt Leinart
