Extra MustardSI On CampusFantasyPhoto GalleriesSwimsuitVideoFanNationSI KidsTNT

Risers and Sliders

Players shifting on draft boards at the last minute

Posted: Thursday April 26, 2007 12:51PM; Updated: Thursday April 26, 2007 3:43PM
Print ThisE-mail ThisFree E-mail AlertsSave ThisMost PopularRSS Aggregators
John Beck threw 32 touchdowns and just eight interceptions last season at BYU.
John Beck threw 32 touchdowns and just eight interceptions last season at BYU.
John Biever/SI
FILM ROOM
TOP OFFENSIVE PLAYERS
JaMarcus Russell | Brady Quinn
Calvin Johnson | Levi Brown
Adrian Peterson | Joe Thomas
Marshawn Lynch | Ted Ginn Jr.
TOP DEFENSIVE PLAYERS
Gaines Adams | Patrick Willis
Amobi Okoye | LaRon Landry
Jamaal Anderson | Leon Hall
Alan Branch | Adam Carriker
DRAFT FEATURES
First-Round Mock Draft
By Don Banks
Russell stays atop the latest projection. And check out video scouting reports of the top players.
Draft Busts
From Ryan Leaf to Joey Harrington to Ki-Jana Carter, the most notable draft busts of the last 20 years.
Five potential busts for 2007
Draft Bargains
From Tom Brady to Marques Colston to Shannon Sharpe, the most notable draft bargains of the last 20 years.
MANDEL: Overrated/Underrated
Top 20 Draft Classes
The 1974 Steelers, '86 49ers and '91 Cowboys highlight this list of the best individual drafts teams have ever had.
Famous people drafted by the NFL
Complete SI.com Draft Coverage
ADVERTISEMENT

By Tony Pauline, TFY Draft Preview

Commissioner Roger Goodell will officially announce the Oakland Raiders are on the clock in just two days, but draft stocks are still shifting. Here's the latest on player movement as well as the most recent draft notes.

Risers

Darrelle Revis/CB/Pittsburgh: A number of teams have Revis rated as the best corner. Once thought of as a late first-rounder, Revis could be among the draft's initial 12 choices.

Patrick Willis/LB/Mississippi: The dominant defender is still reaping the benefits of great postseason workouts. Originally considered a late first-round pick, he could be chosen as early as the 10th pick in Round 1.

John Beck/QB/BYU: The accurate passer from BYU was considered a middle-round pick just months ago, but he could be drafted as early as the second round on Saturday.

Anthony Spencer/DE-OLB/Purdue: Defensive ends who can rush the passer have a tendency to be selected much earlier than predicted. Though he did not run as fast as hoped in workouts, Spencer has the ability to disrupt the action behind the line of scrimmage and could go in the top 25 selections.

Usama Young/CB/Kent St: Another prospect whose offseason workouts have bolstered his draft stock, Young is a first-day selection with a real possibility to break into the second round.

Steve Smith/WR/USC: Smith's stock has been on a rise since the combine. With a 40 time in the 4.4s, he displayed speed that scouts never realized he had. He has a real chance to break into the late part of the first round.

John Wending/S/Wyoming: The 220-pound Wendling performed well in all his pre-draft workouts. Factor in that he was the leader on one of the nation's top pass defenses and Wendling could be selected as early as the middle of Round 2.

Gerald Alexander/S/Boise State: Another safety moving up the boards, Alexander has caused teams to fall in love with his athleticism and size. He was considered a marginal first-day pick, but now could end up in the second round.

Chris Henry/RB/Arizona: Henry's awesome size and speed has a number of team's intrigued. At first considered a second-day pick based on his marginal production as a junior, he could now end up in the second round.

Chris Denman/OT/Fresno State: A large and versatile tackle, Denman has the feet to play on the blind side, according to several teams. Once graded as a late-round pick based on poor combine workouts, he is now headed into the middle round.

Sliders

Alan Branch/DL/Michigan: Health and intensity concerns are pushing Branch down boards. Originally considered a potential top-six selection, he's headed into the middle part of Round 1.

Michael Griffin/S/Texas: Teams aren't sold Griffin has the instincts to play centerfield in the NFL. It is possible that he could fall into the middle part of the second round.

Dwayne Jarrett/WR/USC: Jarrett's poor timed speed and lack of maturity is likely to leave him on the outside looking in when Round 1 is finished.

Demarcus "Tank" Tyler/DT/NC State: An inconsistent defender who takes downs off, Tyler's dedication to football has people concerned.

Troy Smith/QB/Ohio State: At one time mentioned as a first-round choice, Smith is likely to fall out of the first day.

Draft Notes

UNLV cornerback Eric Wright is getting endorsements from an unlikely source -- USC coach Pete Carroll. Wright was kicked off the Trojans team after a run in with the law three years ago.... The safety position is hot entering the draft -- at least three will be first-round picks. An additional four could be off the board before the second frame ends. That has not happened since 1998.... There could be a large number of well-known veteran players traded on draft weekend or just prior to the event. The Steelers' Alan Faneca, the Panthers' Kris Jenkins, San Diego's Michael Turner and the Bears' Lance Briggs could all be sporting new uniforms next week. If San Diego can pull off a trade for Turner and move into the middle of Round 1, the player they'd like to come away with is Tennessee receiver Robert Meachem.

Risers and Sliders

For year-round coverage of the NFL Draft, visit TFY Draft Preview. And be sure to check out TFY's annual Draft guide.

Search