2008 NFL Draft: Mountain West Conference Prospects

Players that should be drafted and where will be listed ahead of all of the prospects, and the picks are from Sporting News.

OLB/ILB Beau Bell (UNLV) Projected to Atlanta with the 37th Pick
Bell is a tackling machine, always looking to punish ballcarriers. He shows an internal rage that is infectious. He is an ideal NFL middle linebacker.

Bell is not a perfect prospect, but his size, strength, speed, toughness and competitiveness could make him a first-round pick.

OLB/ILB Ezra Butler (UNLV) Projected to Indianapolis with the 59th Pick
The Colts need depth at defensive end. Butler is a natural pass rusher and great competitor who can contribute right away.

QB Kevin O’Connell (San Diego State) Projected to the New York Jets with the 102nd Pick

O’Connell looks the part of a good starting NFL quarterback with his frame, arm, athleticism and smarts. To get there, he needs to work on fundamentals.

He would benefit greatly from a team with a coach patient enough to work on his footwork, stride and follow-through. The good thing is that he has the mental side of the game down, so with some development of his physical skills, he is a worthy Day 2 project who has a chance to start down the line.

DE Tommy Blake (TCU) Projected to Denver with the 148th Pick

Blake was an elite end for TCU in ‘06 and showed the athleticism to possibly play linebacker in a 3-4. He was a surefire Top Five overall pick before this season, but his struggles on and off the field in 2007 will keep him from being selected anywhere near that high.

If he straightens himself out, Blake has Dwight Freeney-like potential. However, there are red flags — a la Dimitrius Underwood — that he likely will slip into the fifth round.

G Devin Clark (New Mexico) Projected to Miami with the 204th Pick

Clark must move to guard and improve significantly as a run blocker to make an NFL roster, in addition to getting bigger and stronger.

Clark might need a few years, but should eventually become a quality backup with the potential to turn into a starter.

S David Roach (TCU) Projected to Chicago with the 222nd Pick

Roach is a talented enough athlete to make it in the NFL, but if he does not improve his fundamentals and consistency, he will not last long enough to take advantage of his physical tools.

He probably will be drafted higher than his rating because of his combination of size and workout speed, but his inconsistent tackling and lack of explosive closing burst are big concern.

Roach would be best suited to go to a team with veteran safeties so he can develop his game, but his upside still might be limited to a backup.

OLB Bryan Kehl Projected to Cincinnati with the 244th Pick

Kehl is not a flashy linebacker who grabs attention with speed and explosiveness, but he is strong and shows plenty of heart, hustle and smarts. Kehl could go undrafted, but he should make an NFL team as a hardworking backup.

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