Draft Digest: Thursday Night Football

Tonight game is Texas at Texas A&M, here are the guys to keep an eye on for the 2010 NFL Draft.


Texas:
QB Colt McCoy, Texas (SR) – McCoy is a very smart player who doesn't get rattled easily, and always seems very poised in and outside of the pocket. Still there are question marks surround his arm strength and whether or not he’s a “system quarterback”—can he succeed outside the comfort of the spread offense? I like McCoy but I don’t see him being a “franchise” quarterback in the NFL, but I do think he will get drafted in the first round because all it takes is for one team to fall in love with him, and believe that he can be that franchise quarterback.


WR Jordan Shipley, Texas (SR) – Shipley is a productive receiver in Texas and is better athlete then people give him credit for and has good size at 6-0 190 pounds and should be around the high 4.4 rang in the 40. He shows good ability to run good, clean routes and catches the football with his hands. He also can be used in the return game and had a touchdown but as a punt returner and kick returner last season. The thing with Shipley is he is a stead receiver that isn’t going to wow you in any particular aspect of his game and is a number two receiver at the NFL level. Right now has a second round grade from NFL scouts.


OT Adam Ulatoski, Texas (SR) – They say everything is bigger in Texas and Ulatoski certainly does his best to prove that correct at 6-8, 300-plus pounds. Ulatoski is a fifth-year lineman who is a smart player on and off the field—he graduated in December 2008, and was a two-time first-team Academic All-Big 12 selection. He is a powerful offensive tackle with good feet and the ability to play left tackle in the NFL. However, he seems better suited for the right tackle position because he is a good athlete, but not a great athlete, and is a better run blocker then he is a pass blocker. Right now has a sixth round grade from NFL scouts.


DT Lamarr Houston, Texas (SR) – Houston has played both defensive end and defensive tackle in his college career, he has good size at 6-2 300 pounds and could play defense end in a 3-4 defense or defensive tackle in a 4-3 defense. He has good quickness and has the ability to get in the backfield and make plays. Right now holds a fifth round grade for the 2010 NFL Draft.


OLB Sergio Kindle, Texas (SR)– Kindle is tougher against the run and a better blitzing linebacker than Aaron Curry who was the number four overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. Kindle is a very strong pass rusher who can be a great blitzing strong side linebacker or even defensive end on 3rd downs. He has great speed and aggressiveness, and always plays hard. Right now has a second round grade from NFL scouts.


OLB Roddrick Muckelroy, Texas (SR) – Muckelroy doesn’t get the hype that his fellow linebacker Sergio Kindle gets, but all he does is make tackle and last season end up with 102 total tackles. He isn’t the linebacker that is going to make the huge hit or the game changing sack and forced fumble but what he is going to do is do his job and make very few mistakes. He is a very consistent player and there is no reason to think that he will be any different at the next level. Right now has a fourth round grade from NFL scouts.


S Earl Thomas, Texas (Redshirt Soph) – There is some talk about him coming out early since he is a redshirt sophomore and would be eligible for the 2010 NFL Draft. He is a good overall athlete who can make plays both in the running game and in the passing game. He has ok size at 5-10 200 pounds, but has great speed and coverage ability as a safety. The question mark is if he come out where will he get drafted, some think he might be a late first round pick, or an early second round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, but we will just have to wait and see if he declares.


Texas A & M:


OLB Von Miller, Texas A&M (JR) – Miller is a good looking athlete and would fit in a 3-4 defense as an outside linebacker. He has a lot of pass rushing skills and has shown the ability to drop in coverage and is a good overall athlete would good size for an outside linebacker at 6-3 240 pounds. Right now if he declares should be a late first round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.


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