9BLACK E9 DAILY 04-29-07 MD RE E9 BLACK The Washington Post R Sunday, April 29, 2007 E9 TheHotsheet Five Who Went Earlier Than Expected LEVI BROWN » CARDINALS TED GINN JR. » DOLPHINS MARSHAWN LYNCH » BILLS MICHAEL GRIFFIN » TITANS CRAIG DAVIS » CHARGERS Penn St., T, 6-4, 328 Ohio State, WR, 6-0, 180 California, RB, 5-11, 217 Texas, S, 6-0, 195 LSU, WR, 6-1, 207 Projected: Late first round. Projected: Middle first round. Projected: Late first round. Projected: Late first round. Projected: Mid second round. Selected: Fifth overall. Selected: Ninth overall. Selected: 12th overall. Selected: 19th overall. Selected: 30th overall. 2006: Two sacks allowed, second-team 2006: 781 yards, 9 TDs, 59 catches. 2006: 1,356 yards, 11 TDs, 223 carries. 2006: 126 tackles, 4 forced fumbles, 1 sack. 2006: 836 yards, 4 TDs, 56 catches. all-American. The Skinny: Miami passed on Notre Dame QB The Skinny: A significant drop-off from the The Skinny: The Titans ranked last in the The Skinny: San Diego’s surprise pick gives The Skinny: QB Matt Leinart is the franchise Brady Quinn at this slot and opted for one of top-rated RB in the draft, Adrian Peterson, but league in defense last season, so Griffin filled a the Chargers, who lack a true No. 1 wide player, and this pick gave him an the fastest players in the draft (4.2 seconds in the Bills desperately needed a need. The hard-hitting safety is a sure tackler receiver, speed on the outside (4.37 seconds in assurance the Cardinals 40-yard dash). Ginn was prone to highlight reel RB after dealing Willis who is quick enough the 40-yard dash) and excellent hands. are placing his welfare at plays in college, especially McGahee to the Ravens. perhaps to play free Questions surround his desire to go over the the top of their list. running after the catch Lynch has the speed to safety in the NFL. middle to make difficult catches. Brown has a mean and on kick returns. break away from With eight blocked streak on the field and is Sprained left foot defenders, the kicks in his college more polished at in the BCS title sturdiness to career, Griffin also run blocking. game is a run inside and could There were concern. also is a threat contribute more highly as a immediately rated players receiver on special at other out of teams. positions the available at No. back- 5, but Arizona field. drafted for need. Five Who Went Later Than Expected LEON HALL » BENGALS REGGIE NELSON » JAGUARS BRADY QUINN » BROWNS DWAYNE BOWE » CHIEFS ALAN BRANCH » CARDINALS Michigan, CB, 5-11, 193 Florida, S, 6-0, 193 Notre Dame, QB, 6-3, 226 LSU, WR, 6-2, 217 Michigan, DT, 6-6, 331 Projected: Early first round. Projected: Mid-first round. Projected: Top 10 overall. Projected: Mid-first round. Projected: Mid-first round. Selected: 18th overall. Selected: 21st overall. Selected: 22nd overall. Selected: 23rd overall. Selected: 33rd overall. 2006: 45 tackles, 18 pass deflections, 3 INTs. 2006: 51 tackles, 5 pass deflections, 2 2006: 3,426 yards, 37 TDs, 7 INTs, 61.9 2006: 990 yards, 12 TDs, 65 catches. 2006: 25 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 3 fumble The Skinny: One of the best cover to blocked kicks, first-team all-American. percent completions. The Skinny: Kansas City has been in dire need recoveries, 2 sacks. cornerbacks in the draft fell The Skinny: The Jaguars The Skinny: of a No. 2 wide receiver opposite The Skinny: A powerful, aggressive and Cincinnati, which probably apparently had One of the Eddie Kennison, and Bowe physically imposing player commands won’t have to worry targeted Nelson with most seems to be double-teams and is a force about character issues their original precipitous an ideal fit. against the run. Arizona with Hall. Michigan’s first-round choice at falls in NFL With LSU was sorely deficient in that career leader in No. 17, then traded draft focusing department, allowing pass deflections down to get history more on 131.6 yards rushing (43) possesses Denver’s 21st began the per game season excellent selection. Nelson when passing last (27th instincts, has exceptional Cleveland game in the especially when closing speed passed on this past NFL). the ball is in the and an ability to Quinn at No. 3, season, Branch air. Hall was change direction then the Dolphins did the Bowe demonstrated the fills a regarded as one of suddenly, which same at No. 9. The necessary skills to play in pressing Michigan’s hardest makes him valuable in Browns wound up with the NFL. The precise route need for the workers and a coverage. He’s also a Notre Dame’s Golden Boy runner with soft hands excels Cardinals after helping the leader on the field fierce hitter who has a anyway by trading with the at underneath patterns and is Wolverines limit 11 of 13 and in the locker knack for being around Cowboys, who received difficult for smaller opponents to fewer than 50 room. the ball. Cleveland’s second-rounder cornerbacks to jam at rushing yards last season. this year and its the line. first-rounder next season. 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