I updated the top 32 prospects list in this year’s draft.  The biggest moves were by the following players:

DT Brian Price, UCLA: the true junior has the best first step of all the defensive tackles in the draft.  The more film I study on Price, the more his explosive quickness impresses me.  Price is a perfect 3-technique defensive tackle in the 4-3.  He will be a handful to block one-on-one by less athletic guards.  The Giants should take a long look at this disruptive defensive tackle.

LB Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri: I thought Weatherspoon had a slight case of senioritis in 2009.  He was not as explosive as he was during his  junior season.  However, he dropped a few pounds and increased his intensity at the Senior Bowl and at the combine.  Weatherspoon looks like the most versatile linebacker in the NFL Draft.  He can play outside or inside linebacker in a 4-3 or the 3-4.  I currently have Weatherspoon graded slightly higher than Sergio Kindle at outside linebacker.

OT Anthony Davis, Rutgers: Davis dropped more than any other player on the top 32 list.  I recently received some additional film on Davis and came away disappointed.  He has undeniable 1st round talent (great size and is light on his feet), but he does not use his hands particularly well.  In addition, Davis looks lackadaisical and someone is going to have to light a fire under his butt.  This is my biggest concern about him. 

The two players currently on the top 32 who will be under close scrutiny are RB Jonathan Dwyer and NT Terrence Cody.  Dwyer is a tough evaluation because of the triple-option offense that he played in at Georgia Tech.  Cody is intriguing because he has the potential to be an outstanding nose tackle in the NFL.  The importance of a quality nose tackle to a 3-4 defense should not be underestimated.  I have Cody ranked clearly ahead of Cam Thomas.  The key issue with Cody is his weight.  He was “only” 354 pounds at the combine and I want to see how he looks at Alabama’s pro day.  DT Jared Odrick, CB Patrick Robinson and OLB Daryl Washington are all serious candidates to join the top 32.

It makes sense to me that the best way to evaluate NFL Draft prospects should be careful study of game film.  The combine has become an over-hyped event, in my opinion.  What I look for primarily is how well players change direction in drills.  The 40-yard dash and bench press are not accurate predictors of who can make plays in the NFL.  If the Forty and the bench press were really important to NFL production than Vernon Gholston, Troy Williamson and numerous other workout warriors would be stars.  Here are the players that grabbed my attention:

NT Terrence Cody: He displayed quick feet in drills for a mountain of a man.  Cody had his weight under control.  The former Alabama nose tackle can be an anchor for a 3-4 defense.  The bottom line with Cody is he is a dominant nose tackle. 

OLB Daryl Washington: The former TCU standout moved laterally and back- pedaled with the ease of a defensive back.  Washington is a bit undersized at 230 pounds, but he can fly to the football.

ILB/OLB Sean Weatherspoon: He displayed the quick feet and change of direction skills to cover running backs and tight ends.  Weatherspoon may be the most versatile linebacker in the 2010 NFL Draft.  He looked extremely well built and can fit in a 3-4 or 4-3 defense.

TE Jermaine Gresham: He looked fluid running and appears to be fully recovered from knee surgery.  Gresham was a touchdown machine at Oklahoma.  He should be a weapon at tight end and put points on the board.

CB Joe Haden: His disappointing Forty-time (4.57) may cost him some money, but he still is a terrific cornerback.  Haden had too productive a career at Florida to put so much weight into a sprint in shorts.  Ty Law did not have blazing speed (4.62 Forty) and still was a star at cornerback.  Haden did fine in his position drills, but the Forty-yard dash is what attracts attention.

OT Bruce Campbell & S Taylor Mays: They had the most impressive workouts of the offensive and defensive players.  Campbell is a great athlete who can run, jump and lift with best of the big men.  His athletic prowess has not translated into dominance on the field to this point.  He is a risky 1st round pick.  The team that selects Campbell will be gambling that potential turns into production in the near future.  No one should have been surprised that Mays was big, strong and fast.  He looked smoother in his backpedal and changing direction than I anticipated.  Mays helped himself, but still does not anticipate plays like a top safety should.  The top two workout warriors in this year’s combine are fairly risky 1st round selections.

WR Jacoby Ford: The former Clemson track star ripped off a 4.28 Forty.  He caught the ball well in drills.  However, Ford reminds me of Sinorice Moss.  Ford is muscular, but has a small frame.  He struggles to make catches in traffic.  A drill does not reveal this and his speed was hardly a surprise with his track background.  I would be wary of selecting Ford in the 2nd round.

H-Back Dorin Dickerson: He showed more speed (4.40) than expected.  A good offensive coordinator should be able to create mismatches with Dickerson matched up against linebackers on 3rd down passing situations.  Dickerson will not be a 1st or 2nd round draft choice, but he has the skills to be a nice role player. 

WR Brandon LaFell: The former LSU star did not show much burst in drills or in the Forty (4.57).  He looks like an average possession receiver in the NFL and a risky pick in the 2nd round.

OT Trent Williams: He showed up at the combine in shape and was impressive in drills.  The Forty-yard dash is not important for offensive linemen.  However, Williams looked very athletic and smooth in running a 4.88 Forty.

I recently posted PFDN’s list of the biggest risks in this year’s draft.  One prominent player not on the list is former Oklahoma quarterback, Sam Bradford.  Why is a quarterback coming off of shoulder surgery not on this list?  First, Bradford’s shoulder surgery was fairly routine.  Second, the recent history of quarterbacks (Drew Brees and Alex Smith) who had shoulder surgery and did not lose any arm strength is positive.  Third, Bradford will throw in March and April and dispel any notion that his shoulder is not healthy. 

A complete scouting report has been posted on Bradford.  This should further explain why I am so high on this young man’s future in the NFL.  I believed that Bradford would still be a top 3 selection after he had the surgery in October and nothing has changed my mind.  I think the Rams would be wise to select Bradford number one overall.  Bradford is a franchise quarterback, in my opinion.  In Addition, St. Louis has a dire need at quarterback (16 offensive touchdowns in 2009!!).  Marc Bulger is past his prime and Kyle Boller never had one.  The Rams’ strategy will be debated in the weeks to come.  Scouting reports will continue to be posted leading right up to the draft.

I recently posted the top values in this year’s draft.  This list is probably the most enjoyable part of the entire draft evaluation process for me.  Everyone knows that Gerald McCoy is big and quick and that C.J. Spiller is explosive, but how about Kyle Calloway and Myron Lewis?  There are a bunch of prospects that will be selected late in the 1st round, 2nd round, 3rd round and lower who will be productive players in the NFL.

 The key to having a successful draft is to find players who will outperform their draft position.  It takes three years to properly evaluate a draft class.  However, last year’s PFDN Top Values list featured some promising rookies (Jairus Byrd, Percy Harvin, Sammie Stroughter, Kevin Ellison, Jasper Brinkley and Gerald McRath).  Our biggest miss was underestimating how good Austin Collie was.  This year’s list of top values includes twenty-six players.  A complete scouting report on each of these players will be completed in the coming weeks.

I recently replaced DE Jerry Hughes, CB Donovan Warren and TE Rob Gronkowski with DT Dan Williams, CB Kyle Wilson and DT Jared Odrick on the Top 32 prospects list.  Here is why:

DT Dan Williams followed up a productive senior season with a very good Senior Bowl week.  Williams will be able to help clog the middle against the run and help collapse the quarterback’s pocket.  The Tennessee defensive tackle has worked himself into the best shape of his life and seems focused on football.  Hughes may be overly dependent on his outside rush.  He looks like an undersized pass rush specialist. Hughes is a candidate to be converted into an outside linebacker in the 3-4 defense. 

CB Kyle Wilson really helped himself at the Senior Bowl.  He anticipated routes very well and was stronger than what I expected.  I still like Donovan Warren and it would not be surprising if he returned to the Top 32 list before the draft.  I believe that the NFL Scouting Combine is overrated.  However, the defensive back drills are interesting and I want to see how Wilson compares to Warren. 

DT Jared Odrick is another senior who took advantage of college football’s premier All- Star game.  The Penn State star’s motor never stops and he has an effective club move and good quickness.  Odrick has long arms and a frame that can fill out more.  He will bring versatility to an NFL team’s defensive line.  Odrick is a natural penetrating 4-3 defensive tackle and can also play defensive end in the 3-4.  Gronkowski’s back surgery has to be a concern and likely will prevent any NFL team from spending a 1st round selection on him.  It is a shame because he can play, but you never know with back injuries.  No one (even Gronkowski’s back surgeon) knows how his back will hold up to the pounding it will take in football.  The training (squats and clean & jerks) and practice involved in preparing to play football is also stressful on the back.  I think the highest Gronkowski will be drafted is in the 2nd round. 

Overall, the PFDN Top 32 is heavy on defense (19 players) and linemen (14 offensive and defensive linemen).  The rankings are still fluid at this point, but the pieces to the draft puzzle are starting to take shape.

The following players caught my eye during the North’s 31-13 victory over the South on Saturday:

DE Brandon Graham: It was hard not to spot Graham since he pretty much lived in the South’s backfield all game.  He really is an impressive technician with a quick first step and a powerful lower body.  The game’s MVP had 5 tackles, a pair of sacks, a forced tackle and a tackle for a loss.  It is going to be interesting to see how most NFL teams rate Graham to the more prototypical defensive end bodies of Carlos Dunlap and Jason Pierre-Paul. 

LB Sean Weatherspoon: The Missouri linebacker displayed a wide range of skills.  He raced down the field on special teams.  Weatherspoon showed terrific range in run pursuit and deep depth in pass defense.  He intercepted Zac Robinson late in the game and had a pass breakup while covering Dexter McCluster.  Weatherspoon is one of the more versatile linebackers in the 2010 NFL Draft.

DT Dan Williams: One of the unsung stars of the game.  Williams was able to split some double-teams and occupied blockers.  He batted down a pass and was quick to figure out that a screen pass was coming.  Williams more than held his own against quality competition (particularly, Mike Iupati).

DT Tyson Alualu: He was another high energy North defender who made life difficult for the South offense.  Alualu used his quickness and leverage to pressure Tim Tebow and force a fumble.  He also recovered a fumble early in the game and was quite active. 

CB Patrick Robinson: He was one of the few corners who was able to hang with Mardy Gilyard.  Robinson covered a variety of receivers closely all game. He seemed to know what route was coming on several occasions.  Robinson was able to get off of a block and help in outside run support. 

WR Mardy Gilyard: The Cincinnati wideout was the most productive receiver in the game.  He caught 5 passes for 103 yards and a 32-yard touchdown.  Gilyard beat Javier Arenas on a go-route for the score.  He also made a fine adjustment on a slightly underthrown deep pass down the sideline.  Gilyard caught everything thrown his way and made some tacklers miss as a kick-off returner.

G Mike Iupati: The big guard from Idaho had a mixed day.  He made some fine blocks at left guard, but was beaten at times when playing right guard.  Jeff Owens and Dan Williams had some success against him.  Iupati was called for holding on a play that nullified a touchdown pass.

QB Tim Tebow: The game’s most famous player had a disappointing afternoon.  Tebow completed 8 passes in 12 attempts for 50 yards (4.2 yards per attempt) and fumbled twice.  His inability to release the ball quickly was a problem.  The Florida star puts pressure on his offensive line due to his slow release.  He frequently was forced to check the ball down and did not put pressure on the defense with his arm or legs.  His ball security in the pocket was also a weakness that the North’s defensive linemen took advantage of.  The Senior Bowl does not allow blitzing.  You would think an NFL defense would come off the bus blitzing Tebow and just dare him to get rid of the ball fast enough to make them pay. 

RB LeGarrette Blount: Blount rushed for 36 yards on 7 carries (5.1 per) and had a 14-yard touchdown run.  He showed that it often takes more than one tackler to bring him down.   Blount is a battering ram and can pound away at defenses.  Blount was not a factor in the passing game and was not tested in blitz pickup.  He has come a long way from his suspension and his draft prospects are looking up.

QB Dan LeFevour: The Central Michigan star had the best day of all of the quarterbacks.  LeFevour completed 5 passes in 10 attempts for 97 yards and a 32-yard touchdown.  He was able to get the ball downfield with touch for a couple of big plays.  LeFevour looked comfortable in the pocket.  He still is not a very accurate passer, but looked like the most worthwhile quarterback for an NFL team to develop.

RB Dexter McCluster: The tiny scatback had a decent game.  He looked comfortable returning kick-offs, but was unable to break a big one.  McCluster flashed his quickness and elusiveness on a 13-yard catch and run for a 1st down. He finished the game with 3 receptions for 30 yards.  McCluster carried the ball 3 times for a negative yard and fumbled once after taking a hard hit from Larry Asante.  The Ole Miss playmaker looks to be a solid 3rd round draft choice.

DT Jeff Owens: The Georgia defensive tackle reminded scouts that he was a highly regarded prospect prior to suffering a knee injury during his junior year.  Owens had a mediocre senior season, but had his moments against Iupati at right guard.  Owens was able to get under Iupati’s pads on a play and toss him aside on a sack of Sean Canfield.  Owens could be a mid-round pick with some upside.

DT Geno Atkins: Here is another Georgia defender who displayed his talent.  Atkins was disruptive at times with his quickness.  He did a good job against the run and showed effort in his play.

TE Colin Peek: Peek caught a 19-yard touchdown pass down the seam from Zac Robinson.  He took a big hit from Larry Asante on the play, but held on.  The big Alabama tight end caught 2 passes for 31 yards on the day.

TE Garrett Graham: The Wisconsin tight end/h-back looked smooth running routes and is a fundamentally sound player.  Graham had a 22-yard touchdown catch called back due to a holding penalty.

S Taylor Mays: The USC safety was often criticized for his coverage skills during the week.  Mays had an interception late in the 2nd quarter on a 3rd and 17 play.  Sean Canfield threw late down the middle and Mays did a good job of reading his eyes and coming over to make the pick near the endzone.  It really was a pretty easy interception given the situation and poor play by the quarterback, but he still made the play.  This one play does not mean Taylor Mays is now a ballhawk, but at least he demonstrated the ability to be a centerfielder and not just a hitter.

WR Andre Roberts: The small school receiver from The Citadel followed up a good week of practice with 2 catches for 45 yards.  He was particularly impressive on a 27-yard catch over the middle from Zac Robinson.  Roberts effortlessly reached back for the pass that was slightly behind him and held on despite taking a hit right away. 

WR Jeremy Williams: The Tulane product led all receivers with 6 receptions for 82 yards (13.7 per).  Williams’ best play was a 37-yard reception where he outmaneuvered Devin McCourty for the underthrown pass.

QBs Jarrett Brown, Zac Robinson, Sean Canfield & Tony Pike: They all looked like backups in the NFL.  Robinson had the best game and surprised some people, but that probably was due to expectations were so low for him after a disappointing senior year.

The practice sessions at the Senior Bowl are helpful from an evaluation standpoint.  I still believe the game itself despite being a bit anti-climatic is important.  The practices are mostly one on one or seven on seven drills and only the game is eleven on eleven with full contact.  Here are several players that had their moments in the practices:

G/RT John Jerry, Mississippi: The huge Jerry was impressive against some of the better defensive tackles, such as Dan Williams.  Jerry has a very solid base, long arms and is tough to move out.  He also executed the double team well when working with another offensive lineman.  Jerry may have worked his way into the 3rd round of the 2010 NFL Draft.  He is a potential starting guard and may be able to play some at right tackle.

CB Kyle Wilson, Boise State: Wilson was the most impressive of all of the defensive backs.  He plays bigger than his 5 foot 10 and 190 pound size.  He has strong legs and excellent balance and matches up better than you would think against big receivers.  Wilson’s smooth back pedal, speed, quickness and ability to locate the football were all 1st round quality.  Wilson looked like Asante Samuel at times. He just needs to run a fast Forty to secure a 1st round grade.

G Mike Iupati, Idaho: Iupati stood out among the offensive lineman.  He not only is big, strong and tough, but a very focused player.  I certainly had the impression that Iupati is a disciplined player who wants to keep getting better.  He displayed the ability to quickly re-anchor and slide and mirror at guard.  Iupati was so good at guard that the coaches decided to see how he would look at left tackle. 

He has the frame, long arms and athleticism to play tackle, but his inexperience showed.  The footwork is completely different at tackle compared to guard.  He would have to work on his kick-slide.  The angles were new to him and Iupati was much easier to knock off balance at tackle than he was at guard.  Iupati may be a project at tackle, but he looks like he could be a terrific guard in the NFL.  Iupati helped himself at the Senior Bowl and likely will be drafted closer to the mid-1st round area as opposed to late 1st round or early 2nd round prior to the practices.

RB/WR Dexter McCluster, Mississippi: The tiny (5 foot 8 and 165 lbs) McCluster had a strong week of practice.  His ability to run routes and catch the ball means that he has a good chance of carving out a niche for himself in the NFL.  McCluster’s instant acceleration and quickness makes him dangerous in space.  He has been compared to Darren Sproles, but McCluster is much thinner, especially in the lower body.  The fact that McCluster weighs only 165 pounds is a legitimate concern.  However, the success that Bruce Harper (5’ 8” and 174 lbs) and Kelvin Martin (5’ 9” and 163 pounds) had in the NFL shows that a slight player can succeed. 

I think McCluster can have a similar career to what Harper enjoyed with the Jets.  Harper played 7 years (1977-1984) in New York and was a versatile weapon.  His career production included rushing for 1,829 yards (4.9 per), 8 touchdowns, 220 receptions (11.0 per), 12 touchdowns, 1,784 punt return yards (9.7 per), 1 touchdown and 5,407 kick-off return yards (22.3 per).  The NFL is more of a passing league than when Harper played.  I expect McCluster to be involved more as a pass receiver on 3rd down than at running back.  McCluster raised his draft stock from the 4th or 5th round to likely the 3rd round.

WR Jacoby Ford, Clemson: Ford made some nice adjustments to the ball on go routes.  He also was savvier than anticipated as a route-runner and made it easier for his quarterback to make the completion.  He used his hands well to snare passes out of the air.  Ford is a small receiver, but he made a case for himself being a 3rd round pick as a slot receiver and kick returner.

DE/OLB Brandon Graham, Michigan: Graham was very impressive as a pass rusher with an explosive first step.  He displayed the ability to beat offensive tackles to the outside or inside.  Graham also has an effective spin move in his repertoire.  His hand use was advanced for a college player.  Graham played like he should be a 1st round pick.

CB Syd’ Quan Thompson, Cal: Thompson is a small, but feisty cornerback.  He does not have great speed, yet breaks on the ball quickly.  He has very quick hands and is good at dislodging the ball from the receiver.  He could be a fine 3rd corner in a predominately zone defense and is a willing tackler despite his size.  Thompson solidified a 3rd round grade.

DT Jared Odrick, Penn State: Odrick utilizes an effective club move.  He has long arms and a well-proportioned 6 foot 5 and 300 pound frame.  Odrick has the quickness to penetrate at the defensive tackle position.  He has the build to be a 3-4 defensive end and could put on 10 pounds of quality weight to shore-up in run support. 

WR Mardy Gilyard, Cincinnati: Gilyard started slow, but came on as the week progressed.  One question he helped answer was his ability to escape press coverage.  Gilyard used his hands aggressively to get a clean release when being pressed.  Gilyard did drop some passes in the beginning, but consistently caught the ball in college.  He looked like he could be a productive slot receiver that makes sense in the 2nd or 3rd round.

S Nate Allen, South Florida: Allen was tested in man coverage drills and was generally in good position.  His strength is as a roaming centerfielder.  The fact that he was solid in one-on-one coverage is a bonus.  It looks like a defensive coordinator could put Allen on a tight end or big receiver and he would hold up.

WR Andre Roberts, Citadel: Roberts caught the ball in traffic very well.  He showed good body control in adjusting to several passes.  A defender’s hand did not distract his concentration from catching the football.  Roberts showed that he belonged in Mobile.  He could go as high as the 4th round in the 2010 NFL Draft.

The Senior Bowl is the last chance for NFL talent evaluators to see prospects in pads playing football.  The next stage of the scouting process involves working out in shorts and tee shirts.  This can cloud the picture because sometimes teams lose sight of the fact that they are trying to find football players and not just athletes.  Here are some players that more was expected of or are generating a false buzz:

WR Danario Alexander, Missouri: Alexander may have been listed ahead of Jeremy Maclin at one point in his Missouri career, but the comparisons end there.  Alexander was slow coming out of his breaks and with his initial release.  He generally did not use his 6 foot 5 height to any great advantage, either.  Alexander was not very physical and only once flashed the ability to go up high over the middle to snag a pass.  Alexander had a very productive senior season, but you would not of thought so based on his Senior Bowl practices.

QB Jarrett Brown, West Virginia: Brown has a strong arm and is a fine athlete.  Some believe that he is a good developmental project at quarterback.  He does throw a pretty ball, but so did many quarterbacks who struggled in the NFL.  I am not buying the hype regarding Brown.  What concerns me is he was a 5th year senior who still frequently made poor decisions.  He also can be quite inaccurate with his passes due to inconsistent mechanics. 

Accuracy and decision-making are more important than raw arm strength for a quarterback.  Brown backed up Pat White for four years before finally starting.  He had an unimpressive final year when you consider how long he has been in the West Virginia system.  It is a stretch to believe that he is going to sit on an NFL team’s bench for 2-3 years and be ready to handle much more complicated and better defenses than what he faced in college.  The four years he spent sitting on the bench in college did not seem to help his understanding of coverages all that much.  Aaron Rodgers sat for three years behind Brett Favre, but was ready to go when his turn finally came.  Brown may be a 4th round selection in the 2010 NFL Draft, but that is too high in my opinion. 

S Taylor Mays, USC: Mays looked stiff in his backpedal and did not want any part of press coverage.  His cover skills were not impressive.  The Trojans’ free safety’s best play was closing fast on a pass over the middle and slapping the ball away after the catch was made.  There is no doubt that Mays is a hammer who can knock a receiver coming over the middle into next week.  Is that worth a 1st round selection?  A safety like Cincinnati’s, Roy Williams, is not as valuable in today’s NFL.  There are too many multiple-receiver sets and athletic tight ends that force a safety to cover.  I was disappointed how Mays looked from a coverage standpoint.  The Senior Bowl was an important week for Mays and he did not put to rest concerns regarding how he will hold up in coverage.  

OT Vladimir Ducasse, Massachusetts: Ducasse has received some hype lately that he may shoot up draft boards and be a possible 1st round pick in April.  He did not look like the 2nd coming of Michael Oher.  Ducasse has impressive physical tools, but frequently blocks in a very upright position.  He did not bend his knees and sink his hips to have a powerful and balanced base.  Ducasse was beaten cleanly several times and certainly will not be able to get away with his current technique in the NFL.  He is too much of a project to even think about taking in the 1st round.  It remains to be seen whether Ducasse was not taught very well or just is not a natural knee-bender.  A left tackle is highly coveted so a team still may reach a bit for Ducasse in the 2nd round.

OT Ed Wang, Virginia Tech: Wang looked slow and not very athletic at left tackle.  He did a decent job anchoring, but he was in trouble if he had to move laterally.  Wang’s future is at right tackle or guard.  He also appeared disinterested at times and did not play with intensity.  Wang looked like a late-round selection to compete for a roster spot.

OT Zane Beadles, Utah: Beadles was beaten to the punch in one-on-one drills against defensive ends.  He does not have heavy hands and had trouble stopping the bull-rush.  His inability to anchor when combined with his short arms means that Beadles is a guard and not a left tackle in the NFL.  Beadles went from a possible 3rd round left tackle candidate to a 5th round guard prospect.

One of the reasons why I recently removed Alabama nose tackle, Terrence Cody, from the PFDN top 32 list was conditioning concerns.  Cody stepped on the scale yesterday for the opening day of the Senior Bowl and weighed-in at 370 pounds.  He should have been around 350 and provided some proof that he is serious about controlling his weight.  It is a shame that he does not have the self-motivation to take his conditioning to another level.  There is still plenty of time for Cody to drop weight, but it sure looks like fitness will always be a concern with him.

Here are some additional players whose weight or build stood out:

DE Brandon Graham, Michigan: Graham is one of my favorite players in the 2010 NFL Draft.  He was a fit 263 pounds on a 6 foot 1 frame.  Graham’s arm length was only 30 ½ inches.  The Michigan standout has short arms, but also is a nasty, tough, quick and powerful defender.  I have seen Graham play numerous times and this young man is a football player.  Jason Pierre-Paul and Carlos Dunlap will likely be drafted ahead of Graham.  They both have the height and long arms that NFL teams covet in pass rushers.  My money is still on Brandon Graham to be a better NFL player than both Pierre-Paul and Dunlap.  I am confident that Graham will be high on PFDN’s top values list.

QB Tony Pike, Cincinnati: Pike looked like a stringbean at 6’ 5 5/8” and 212 pounds.  He has a small frame and is just not a big man.  You can gain some weight and strength in the weight room, but there is nothing you can do about your natural bone mass.  Pike better get rid of the ball quickly because he will not be able to withstand many NFL hits.

CB Syd’Quan Thompson, Cal: I was curious about Thompson’s true size and it turns out that he is quite small.  He measured in at 5 foot 9 and 182 pounds.  Thompson looked tiny and this has to be a concern.  The Cal star is competitive and it will be interesting to see how well he practices and plays in the game.

WR Mardy Gilyard, Cincinnati: It was surprising to see that Gilyard weighed only 179 pounds.  He looked quite skinny and apparently did not work out much at Cincinnati’s weight room.  I still like Gilyard as a receiver, but want to see how he handles stronger and more physical defensive backs.

S Taylor Mays, USC: Mays is a physical specimen (6’ 3” and 231 pounds) and certainly did not disappoint from a physique standpoint.  I go by what I see when evaluating prospects.  Mays has coverage, ball skills and football IQ issues.  He could be the safety version of Vernon Gholston.

The 85th East-West Shrine Game featured mostly players who will be late-round draft choices or free agents.  The majority of the players in the game will struggle to make an NFL roster.  However, there are usually a couple of prospects who go on to be productive starters.  OT Sebastian Vollmer (2nd round, 2009 NFL Draft, Patriots) helped his cause at last year’s game.  Here are the players that were most noteworthy:

OLB O’Brien Schofield, Wisconsin: The former Badgers’ defensive end tried his hand at outside linebacker.  Schofield displayed natural instincts in pass coverage when he broke quickly on a pass over the middle and made the interception.  He also played the run well and did not seem confused with his assignments.  Schofield helped himself by giving a sense that a position change to outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense may not be too big for him.

TE Dennis Pitta, BYU: Pitta is a smart, sure-handed pass catching tight end.  His 30 and 17-yard receptions revealed deceptive speed.  The BYU star was probably the highest rated offensive player in the game.  He did not disappoint and even did a decent job blocking. 

TE Andrew Quarless, Penn State: Quarless came up big on the East’s game-winning touchdown drive.  He made an outstanding one-handed catch on the drive and also caught the final touchdown.  Quarless is not your typical plodding Penn State tight end.  He runs quite well and is a smooth athlete.  He has upside potential and could develop into a starter down the road.

DE Greg Hardy, Ole Miss: Hardy clearly can turn the corner and put pressure on the quarterback.  He hustled during the game versus the run.  However, simply making a couple of plays in one game cannot eliminate durability and work ethic concerns. 

WR Freddie Barnes, Bowling Green: Barnes looked to be the most impressive of several possession receivers.  The ball was very secure in Barnes’ hands.  He handles tight coverage well and is a crafty route-runner.  His hands looked better than Blair White’s and Kerry Meier’s.

CB Alterraun Verner, UCLA: Verner was difficult to shake in coverage, but looked like he could be out-muscled in coverage by bigger receivers.

S Kam Chancellor, Virginia Tech: Chancellor runs well and can cover some ground from his safety position.  However, he is vulnerable to pump fakes.  A clever quarterback will be able to move him around in coverage and prevent him from being in position to help defend a pass.

QB Max Hall, BYU: Hall has a chance to be a dink and dunk marginal backup in the NFL.  He was decent in the game, but will not be able to get the ball downfield in the NFL.  Hall was intercepted by O’Brien Schofield and almost was picked-off on another occasion.  He will compete to be a 3rd quarterback at the next level, but must do a better job of protecting the football. 

OT Rodger Saffold, Indiana: The big left tackle displayed solid balance and no pass rusher gave him major problems.  He was adequate as a run blocker.  He helped himself by being able to move his feet and not get caught lunging in pass protection.

WR Naaman Roosevelt, Buffalo: Roosevelt’s best play was drawing a holding penalty to prevent a likely touchdown.  His smooth double-move caused the infraction.  Roosevelt is a fairly polished receiver who was very productive for Buffalo.

QB John Skelton, Fordham: I scouted Skelton in-person at a game against Lehigh in November and was not impressed.  He did not do anything at the East-West Shrine game to change my opinion.  Skelton did not display accuracy and frequently lacks touch on his passes.  He is a project, but still could be a late 2010 NFL Draft pick because of his raw size and arm strength.

QB Mike Kafka, Northwestern: Kafka looked good in leading the game-winning drive for the East.  However, he has an average arm for the NFL and will throw the ball late on occasion.  This is a recipe for interceptions.  The offensive MVP of the Shrine game (18 completions in 27 attempts (67%) for 150 yards (5.6 yards per attempt), 1 touchdown) was the most impressive quarterback.  Kafka is a possible 6th or 7th round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.  He will compete to be a team’s 3rd quarterback, but does not have a lot of upside.

WR Emmanuel Sanders, SMU: Sanders has quickness and was productive at SMU.  He looked tentative on kick-off returns and had a quiet game as a receiver.  He will have to be a major factor in the return game to make an NFL team.

RB Andre Anderson, Tulane: Anderson was decisive on kick-off returns.  He headed upfield and broke some tackles.  Anderson does not have breakaway speed, but showed he may be a back that can catch passes, block and return kick-offs as a reserve.