Spring Break
BC's Ryan Headlines 2008 Draft Prospects
Mike Mauro
Issue date: 2/8/08 Section: Sports
3) Joe Flacco, Sr. (RS), Delaware - Flacco is the best small-school offensive player in the draft. He began his career at Pittsburgh before transferring to Delaware where he led the Blue Hens to the Division I-AA title game. Flacco has the strongest arm in the draft to go along with phenomenal size (6-foot-6, 230 pounds). The only question entering the Senior Bowl was if he could play against better competition and he answered that with a resounding "yes," solidifying a spot in the second round of the draft.
Running Back
1) Darren McFadden, Jr., Arkansas - "Run DMc" is the best player in the country and it was an easy decision for him to leave school early. He is the fastest and most dynamic player in the country and if he slips out of the top-5 in the draft, someone is getting a steal. His versatility running and in the return game only elevates his stock to an unbelievable level.
2) Jonathan Stewart, Jr., Oregon - One of the most underrated backs in the country, Stewart is the perfect NFL running back. He combines great size (5-foot-10, 230 pounds) with terrific speed and proved he can stay healthy in 2007 as the Ducks' workhorse in the backfield. He will be a mid first-rounder and turn into one of the better backs in the NFL.
3) Rashard Mendenhall, Jr., Illinois - He took the Big Ten by storm this season and was the biggest factor in Illinois' improbable run to the Rose Bowl. Mendenhall came out early like the other two players on this list and doesn't have too much tread on his tires. With his combination of skills and good size (5-foot-10, 225 pounds) he should be picked in the latter portion of the first round.
Wide Receiver
1) Limas Sweed, Sr. (RS), Texas - Sweed was injured most of the year with a wrist injury, but that won't affect him long-term. Sweed is a dynamic playmaker for the Longhorns whose big body, (6-foot-5, 219 pounds) deceptive speed and sure hands could make him a No. 1 target at the next level.
2) Malcolm Kelly, Jr., Oklahoma - This junior disappeared at times during the season but he has the potential to be a big-time playmaker in the NFL. He has size comparable to Sweed and the two will battle to be the first pure wideout taken in the draft.
3) DeSean Jackson, Jr., California - Jackson is a dynamic threat in the mold of last year's No. 9 overall pick Ted Ginn. Jackson is a better receiver but he is small (5-foot-11, 170 pounds) and isn't polished. However, he may put on a show at the Combine and boost his draft stock into the top-10 with a great showing in the 40-yard dash.
Mike Mauro's NFL Draft column runs every Friday. He can be contacted at Michael.Mauro@UConn.edu.
Running Back
1) Darren McFadden, Jr., Arkansas - "Run DMc" is the best player in the country and it was an easy decision for him to leave school early. He is the fastest and most dynamic player in the country and if he slips out of the top-5 in the draft, someone is getting a steal. His versatility running and in the return game only elevates his stock to an unbelievable level.
2) Jonathan Stewart, Jr., Oregon - One of the most underrated backs in the country, Stewart is the perfect NFL running back. He combines great size (5-foot-10, 230 pounds) with terrific speed and proved he can stay healthy in 2007 as the Ducks' workhorse in the backfield. He will be a mid first-rounder and turn into one of the better backs in the NFL.
3) Rashard Mendenhall, Jr., Illinois - He took the Big Ten by storm this season and was the biggest factor in Illinois' improbable run to the Rose Bowl. Mendenhall came out early like the other two players on this list and doesn't have too much tread on his tires. With his combination of skills and good size (5-foot-10, 225 pounds) he should be picked in the latter portion of the first round.
Wide Receiver
1) Limas Sweed, Sr. (RS), Texas - Sweed was injured most of the year with a wrist injury, but that won't affect him long-term. Sweed is a dynamic playmaker for the Longhorns whose big body, (6-foot-5, 219 pounds) deceptive speed and sure hands could make him a No. 1 target at the next level.
2) Malcolm Kelly, Jr., Oklahoma - This junior disappeared at times during the season but he has the potential to be a big-time playmaker in the NFL. He has size comparable to Sweed and the two will battle to be the first pure wideout taken in the draft.
3) DeSean Jackson, Jr., California - Jackson is a dynamic threat in the mold of last year's No. 9 overall pick Ted Ginn. Jackson is a better receiver but he is small (5-foot-11, 170 pounds) and isn't polished. However, he may put on a show at the Combine and boost his draft stock into the top-10 with a great showing in the 40-yard dash.
Mike Mauro's NFL Draft column runs every Friday. He can be contacted at Michael.Mauro@UConn.edu.
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