After a draft where Optimum Scouting devoted 350 days to scouting, I have a few strong opinions on how certain players will fit and perform with their respective pro teams.
These predictions are based off of the players talent, the surprise factor because of their draft round, and their potential as a prospect. Whether you agree or not, take note, as I’ll stand by these predictions leading up to the 2010-2011 season.
10. Ryan Matthews, Eric Berry will win Offensive, Defensive Rookie of the Year Awards
Maybe not too bold of a prediction, it’s still a surprise pick in some respects for offensive player. In the last five years, only one offensive winner has been from outside the Top 10, and that was Percy Harvin a season ago. Matthews is set to be the feature back in San Diego, and should enjoy 20-25 carries a game and goal line plays, while CJ Spiller should get around 20-25 touches a game and little to no touchdown production.
As for defensive player, only one in the last ten years has won the award that was drafted in the Top Five. Eric Berry is an elite talent playing at a stat garnering position. He should have 80+ tackles, 2+ sacks, and 4+ interceptions.
9. Dez Bryant will start over Roy Williams by Week 4
It’s safe to say the Cowboys are not happy with Roy Williams at all, and are likely considering parting ways with the drafting of Dez Bryant. While this pick isn’t a lock that Williams will be gone, it makes it tough to get three talented receivers on the field and happy. It makes it even tougher when one just got a huge new contract, and the other is compared to Randy Moss. Week 4 is the Cowboys bye week, and by then, the Cowboys may be calling teams, offering Williams for probably a 5th round pick.
8. Jonathan Dwyer will have 400+ yards, 5+ TDS for Pittsburgh
I strongly felt that Dwyer was the best power back in this draft and had a chance to start in the right system. While he won’t that get chance, as he was drafted in the 6th round, he will have a chance to challenge to be a solid rotational guy for this team. Mendenhall played well last season, but isn’t a true power back, and neither is Mewelde Moore. Dwyer will get the goal line carries and with Mendenhall’s injury history, Dwyer could get 10-15 carries a game by season’s end.
7. Bills, 49ers Fans will wish their teams drafted Jimmy Clausen
As you can tell by the Quarterback Rankings and a host of other articles on this site, I am still a huge Jimmy Clausen fan and felt he was worthy of a Top 10 pick. Obviously, however, Bills and 49ers brass didn’t agree
What ever the reason for him falling, I feel it will be squashed fairly quickly in the pros. Also, after a few weeks of Alex Smith’s inconsistent play and a few embarrassing weeks of quarterback roulette in Buffalo, fans will be clamoring for a franchise guy. And as you’ll find out later in the article, he’ll be enjoying success by then.
6. Andrew Quarless will challenge Jermichael Finley for catches in Green Bay
I was a huge supporter of Quarless coming into this draft (Tight End Rankings) and I still feel he could start at the pro level early on. He’s a ready and willing blocker, he has soft hands, and runs surprisingly good routes for a tight end. The only reason he fell on draft day was for his numerous off the field incidents. But if that’s behind him, which I’m banking on, then he could out play Finley, who really came on for the Packers a season ago.
5. Andre Roberts will have over 700 receiving yards for Arizona
A steal of a 3rd round pick, Roberts could make Cardinals fans forget about Anquan Boldin fairly quickly. If fans remember Eddie Royal’s surprising rookie season a year ago, then they have an idea of what to expect from Roberts. He’s very quick, shifty in the open field, runs great routes, and is a reliable target. He’ll battle with Early Doucet and Steve Breaston early for playing time, but he’s the best of those three as a rookie.
4. Arthur Jones will have a better rookie season than Terrence Cody and Sergio Kindle
Alot of analysts have gushed over the Ravens draft because they snatched up Terrence Cody and Sergio Kindle, two national championship names and possible 1st round talents. But Kindle has to have surgery and likely won’t beat out Jarrett Johnson and an emerging Antwan Barnes early in the season. And Cody won’t get past Kelly Gregg for at least 10 games if he does at all. With Corey Redding and Trevor Pryce, it may be tough to get on the field early, but Jones is a great talent in my opinion, and he’s the youngest and the hungriest of the three.
3. George Selvie will have 6+ sacks for the St. Louis Rams
Selvie fell hard on draft day due to size concerns and a lack of sustained production over his last two seasons at South Florida. He doesn’t have the normal size of an NFL defensive end in a 4-3 defense, and his moves looked a little slow last season. But, if you know anything about this kid and his background, he’ll go through a brick wall for a coach and refuses to be denied when he wants something. Chris Long isn’t great on one side and they really don’t have a solid pass rusher opposite him. Like David Vorbora has done with this team (started after being a 7th rounder) Selvie could be the next to take advantage of a depleted team.
2. Sam Bradford will get injuried this season
Based on his college history, this shouldn’t be a surprise to many. Bradford injured his knee and shoulder over his 3 year starting career for the Sooners. While doctors have cleared him to be 100 percent and the Rams felt safe enough in that evaluation to take him 1st overall, I’m not sold that he’ll hold up in the pros. Jason Smith, in my opinion, is a right tackle prospect, not a left tackle, and Roger Saffold is a right tackle or guard prospect. This team will still struggle mightily to protect Bradford, and when he didn’t have protection last season, he found himself out of the game very quickly.
1. Jimmy Clausen will be the starter for the Carolina Panthers by Opening Day
Another maybe not so bold prediction, I felt that Clausen was the best fit in Carolina just after Day One finished. After they tried trading up unsuccessfully, Clausen fell right to them in the 2nd round. Matt Moore is the projected starter for this team and played well last year. But he isn’t the talent that Clausen is, I think most of the Carolina staff knows that. Plus, with the way Clausen played with Golden Tate, a smaller receiver, last year and his fit perfectly into the Carolina system (they use most of the same terminology), there’s no reason why Clausen won’t be in the thick of quarterback competition once camp opens up.
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