Scout team

Combine is chance for No. 2s to challenge top prospects

The annual Scouting Combine was moved back two weeks this year. The theory being that more of the top prospects will take part in all this weekend's planned activities. However, that remains to be seen since most agents still feel that the top picks at each position can only move down the ladder by participating. So some of these players will pass on working out.

More interesting is what the No. 2 prospects at the key positions will do. This is a tremendous opportunity to make up some ground on the leaders and raise their draft positions. If these players impress, they can get themselves into the top 10 or even up to top-five status where the big bucks are waiting.

Joey Harrington missed the Senior Bowl due to a knee injury and, simply put, he needs to show the Texans that he's healthy, that his arm strength is better than advertised, and that his mobility is not a negative. If he does all that and interviews well, he's right back in the picture for the No. 1 pick. Nothing is set in stone yet.

Kalimba Edwards may not be able to pass Julius Peppers as the premier pass rusher in this draft class but the South Carolina product who reminds some of Jevon Kearse can get into the top five with a great effort.

According to some running-back-needy teams with which I spoke, DeShaun Foster has lost some ground to William Green. Being the No. 2 back selected could mean a difference of 10 or more slots in the draft. Last year, LaDainian Tomlinson went fifth and got a $6 million bonus. Deuce McAllister was the next running back at No. 23 and he got half of that to sign.

Six-foot-six, 360-pound Mike Williams, a right tackle from Texas, is currently behind left tackle Bryant McKinnie. But there are some clubs interested in knowing whether Williams has the skill to move to the left side. If the answer is yes, there will be a battle right up to the draft about which tackle to take first.

Phillip Buchanon is an underclassman fighting an uphill battle with consensus top corner Quentin Jammer. But Buchanon has a chance to demonstrate he's the best athlete in the draft and convince people his return skills make him an even greater value. One scouting director told me Buchanon can get into the top 10 with a good showing in Indianapolis.

No less than four defensive tackles will be taken in the first round. Albert Haynesworth is rising so fast that he has moved into the No. 2 spot behind his Tennessee teammate, John Henderson. This duo bears a striking resemblance to last year's first-round pair of tackles from Georgia, Richard Seymour and Marcus Stroud. Seymour got $4.8 million to sign at the sixth spot, while Stroud got $2 million at No. 13. Big Albert is a 6-6, 315-pound underclassman who can put on a show and solidify himself for the draft.

In the car rental business, Avis says "We're No. 2 and we try harder." I expect that's the attitude we'll see at the combine this weekend from these guys in the second slot.

Pat Kirwan, who spent 12 years as a pro football coach, scout and personnel administrator, is an NFL analyst for CNN/Sports Illustrated and CNNSI.com.

 

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