Draft Season: Who To Watch

As the scouting combine draws to an end, much of the draft is beginning to take shape...kind of.

To start things off, Aaron Curry is a straight up beast. He has all of the instincts needed to be an elite linebacker. That we already knew—but what he did at the combine left me in awe. Fluid in his position drills, 4.56 40 time, faster than Chris Wells (4.59) and even Knowshon Moreno. That is a fast linebacker!!! 

That being said, here are my top five lists.

Top 5 Overall Players

1. Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake Forest—Lit up the combine; the most proven player as he was a starter for nearly every game the past 3 years with the Demon Deacons.

2. Jason Smith, OT, Baylor—Benched 225 lbs. 33 times; when he locks on he's not letting go; provides a great push and should see himself atop many draft boards.

3. B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College—Big anchor with incredible strength and great speed for his size; big reason the Eagles had a top 10 defense; people stop when they hit him.

4. Micheal Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech—Spent the last 2 years convincing everyone he is as close to a sure thing at reciever as there is; the fracture in his foot is slowing his pre-draft workouts, but he shouldn't fall past the 7 spot at the worst.

5. Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State—Incredibly athletic corner, big and physical; talks have him being more of a safety but he insists he is a corner; elite playmaker none-the-less.

Top 5 Fallers

1. Rey Maualuga, ILB, USC—His stock didn't take too much of a hit, but a nagging hammy could make him slide back 4-5 slots.

2. James Laurinaitis, ILB, Ohio State—If he came out last year he could have been a top 15 pick; he stayed, and didn't make all the plays he did as a junior.

3. Andre Smith, OT, Alabama—Showed up at the combine a little overweight and then inexplicably left; could see him fall to the latter part of the first or even slide into the second round.

4. Chris Wells, RB, Ohio State—Beanie was hampered by a foot injury that might have scouts questioning his durability; his 40 was just average; still should be one of the top backs off the board.

5. Percy Harvin, WR, Florida—An incredible playmaker; had that ankle injury before the BCS bowl game drawing a durability buzz; he should project in the early to mid twenties.

5 Sleepers to look out for

1. Larry English, DE/LB, Northern Illinois—This guy could creep his way into the top 15, even in the top 10; versatile and strong, a small school stud.

2. Kevin Barnes, CB, Maryland—I like what I saw from this kid; he's fast, has good size, and his corner drills highlighted his footwork and hands at the combine.

3. Donald Brown, RB, Conneticuit—This guy is really starting to catch my eye; he's fast, and has been the most productive running back in this draft class; he could very well slip into the first round.

4. Connor Barwin, DE/DT/TE, Cincinnati—Versatile, played tight end for the Bearcats but he could end up jumping to the defensive side of the ball in the pros; ran a 4.66, so he could even project as a outside rush linebacker.

5. Jovan Belcher, DE/OLB, Maine—At 6'2'' 229, Belcher looks to have the body mold to play OLB; made All-FCS team and Defensive Player of the year in his conference; a very small school prospect, his stock is rising after the Texas vs Nation game.

On a side note

Sage Rosenfels to the Vikings? Really?

McNabb wants more weapons...Marvin Harrison would bring one.

What's the deal with Matt Cassel? Stay tuned!