Richard Marshall, CB, Fresno State: Rumored to be climbing many team's boards in recent weeks, Marshall could crack the first round come draft day. While certainly not imposing in size (5-11, 189), most attractive about Marshall is his strength and fluidity - two important traits of a good NFL corner.
The junior marked 9 career interceptions and recorded big returns nearly every time, including 3 touchdowns. Marshall also is notably strong in run support and led the Bulldogs in tackles in '05 with 78.
Joseph Addai, RB, LSU: Also threatening to creep into the first round, possibly even ahead of Minnesota's Laurence Maroney is Addai. He never got a ton of carries at LSU, but managed good yardage when he did. He finished his Tiger career with 2,549 yards on 482 carries for a 5.3 yards-per-carry average. He set career highs in '05 with 911 yards and 9 touchdowns on 187 attempts.
Known as versatile, gritty and tough, Addai is everything a team could want in a running back. He can block, run, catch the ball out of the backfield, and make a move or two. And, at 5-11 and 214, he could still get bigger.
Danieal Manning, DB, Abilene Christian: He may be a sleeper to fans who don't often get to see ACU athletics, but NFL scouts definitely know of Manning's talents. He originally signed with Nebraska and was certainly talented enough to play D-I ball, but failed to qualify after falling one point short of the NCAA requirement on a standardized test.
He sat out his freshman year and transferred to Abilene, where was the star of his team for three years before electing to enter the draft. With blazing speed and adequate size (5-10, 202), Manning should be one of the first non-I-A players to come off the board.
Leon Washington, RB, Florida State: Washington is undersized (5-8, 201), but for the type of football he plays, that shouldn't matter too much. Washington earns his keep through versatility and athleticism.
With durability and size issues in toe, Washington may never be an every-down back in the NFL, but his explosiveness will surely make him an intriguing prospect to general managers. Washington is a slasher who can cut back with the best. He also is a solid route runner and receiver and could be a dynamite third down back. He is projected to be a fourth-round pick.
Jason Avant, WR, Michigan: While Braylon Edwards was making plays downfield at Michigan, Jason Avant was the possession receiver assuring the Wolverines kept drives alive. At 6-feet, 212-pounds, Avant doesn't have superstar height or game-breaking speed, but he does have ideal size to play the same possession role in the NFL.
Avant also has a strong mind for the game and reliable hands. Consistent during his entire tenure at Michigan, Avant finished his senior year with career highs in receptions (82), yards (1,007) and touchdowns (8). Avant should be a late first-day or early second-day pick.
Will Blackmon, WR/CB, Boston College: A cornerback for his first three years at BC, Blackmon made an impressive debut on the offensive side of the ball in '05, marking a team-high 763 yards on 51 receptions with 4 touchdowns. Chalk it up to immeasurable athleticism.
Blackmon also has experience returning both kicks and punts and could easily play on special teams coverage units as well thanks to his experience as a corner. With such little time at the receiver position, Blackmon will probably last until late-Day 1 or early-Day 2, but whoever grabs him there may have gotten a steal of a pick a few years down the line.
Ryan O'Callaghan, OT, Cal: Durability concerns are going to knock this massive prospect down on many draft boards. He broke his hand during his freshman season and had surgery on both shoulders in '04. He also missed a game due to a concussion in '05.
But if O'Callaghan can stay healthy early in his NFL career, he has enormous potential. At 6-feet-6 and 363 pounds, O'Callaghan is a smart, hard-working prospect with plenty of size to boot. Someone will take a chance on O'Callaghan sometime during Rounds 3 or 4 and could get a potential star.
Rob Ninkovich, DE/OLB, Purdue: After the rough season the Boilermakers had in 2005 not many experts were talking about the defensive talent coming out of West Lafayette, but Ninkovich could be a true dark horse of the '06 draft. Ninkovich (6-3, 260) developed a reputation at Purdue for always being around the ball and making big plays.
He marked 16 sacks and 26.5 tackles for loss in two seasons as a Boilermaker after transferring from Joliet (Ill.) Junior College. Ninkovich was noted throughout his entire collegiate career for his work ethic and relentless attitude.
Zach Strief, OT, Northwestern: Size and experience are two traits looked for heavily in a tackle prospect, and Strief has both. At nearly 6-8 and 330 pounds, Strief started 40 consecutive games at RT for the Wildcats from 2003-05, matching up against some of the Big Ten's best defensive ends. He fits the typical Northwestern stereotype as an intelligent player with a great work ethic.
Strief will probably also play right tackle on the pro level and should be selected early on Day 2.
Johnny Jolly, DT, Texas A&M: With the size to play in a 3-4 (6-3, 317) and experience in a two-gap system, Jolly could be a late-round steal for a team like the Browns. While there are knocks on his athleticism, the defense in which he ends up playing will probably cater more to his strengths, which also are great in number.
It's not easy to find such a reliable and consistent four-year starter as late in the draft (mid-second day) as some say Jolly might be selected.
Pierre Woods, DE/OLB, Michigan: With notable size (6-4, 245) and speed, it's a surprise so few experts are talking about Woods and his potential coming out of the late rounds. His career at Michigan is what's slowing him, but the Cleveland native was a beast for the Wolverines when he actually played.
He had 68 tackles (14 for loss) and 7 sacks as a redshirt sophomore, but fell out of the graces of Michigan coaches midway through his junior year and played on a part time basis thereafter. Meanwhile, he stayed quiet and rarely complained about his reduced playing time. Woods' athleticism and good attitude despite his meager draft projections makes him a sleeper in the truest sense of the word.
Mark Setterstrom, OG, Minnesota: After Davin Joseph (Oklahoma), Max Jean-Gilles (Georgia), ‘Deuce' Lutui (USC) and Charles Spencer (Pittsburgh), it's largely a tossup in determining the best guards in this year's draft.
Setterstrom (6-4, 314), has about as much experience on a major level as anyone in the draft as a whole - in fact, it's almost impossible to have more. He started 13 games as a true freshman and has started every game since, totaling 50 starts in his Gopher career. In a cluster of middle-round guards, Setterstrom is as technically sound and experienced as any player at his position.
