NFL DRAFT : THE FIRST ROUND AT A GLANCE
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1. NEW YORK JETS
Keyshawn Johnson (6-3 1/4, 220), WR, USC
Had spectacular junior and senior seasons, topped by record-setting Rose Bowl (12 catches for 216 yards). Strengths: Big hands, good speed, great size. He is close to being the perfect receiver prospect. Weaknesses: A bit immature and some concentration problems that lead to drops.
2. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Kevin Hardy (6-4 1/2, 245), LB, Illinois
Butkus Award winner in 1995, as well as being All-American and Big Ten defensive player of the year. Strengths: The most well-rounded and complete linebacker prospect in years with great work habits and attitude. Weaknesses: Pass rush skills need improvement.
3. ARIZONA CARDINALS
Simeon Rice (6-5, 259), DE, Illinois
Big Ten’s career sack leader with 45 career sacks. Ranks eighth on NCAA’s career sacks list. Strengths: Dominating pass rusher with long arms, good quickness, Makes lots of big plays. Weaknesses: Played inconsistent and uninterested last season, especially against the run. May need to add weight.
4. BALTIMORE RAVENS
Jonathan Ogden (6-8, 318), OT, UCLA
Lombardi Trophy winner and Outland Trophy runner-up last season. May go to Olympic trials as a shotputter. Strengths: Tremendous athlete with a perfect build for a tackle. Very light on his feet and mobile. Weaknesses: Needs to play more aggressive and become a little mean.
5. NEW YORK GIANTS
Cedric Jones (6-3 1/2, 276), DE, Oklahoma
All-Big Eight selection as a junior and senior, as well as his school’s career sack leader with 31.5. Strengths: Great off-the-corner rusher, who flies into the backfield. Weaknesses: Lower body strength is questionable and he is coming off knee and eye surgery.
6. ST. LOUIS RAMS
Lawrence Philips (5-11 1/2, 225), RB, Nebraska
Ran for 1,722 yards in 1994. Was suspended for six games for assaulting his ex-girlfriend in ‘95, but ran for 712 yards and 11 TDs in the six games in which he appeared. Strengths: Very aggressive and explosive runner, who cuts well and sets up his blocks. Weaknesses: A bit slow accelerating and little receiving experience. Volatile personality.
7. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Terry Glenn (5-10 1/4, 183), WR, Ohio State
Burst onto the scene in 1995 winning the Biletnikoff Award, after two inconspicuous seasons behind Joey Galloway and Chris Sanders. Strengths: Tremendous athlete, who runs sharp routes and explodes in the open field. Weaknesses: Does not have great size and work habits have been called into question.
8. CAROLINA PANTHERS
Tim Biakabutuka (6-0 1/4, 205), RB, Michigan
1995 All-Big Ten pick, who ran for 1,724 yards and 12 TDs, including 313 yards vs. Ohio State. Strengths: Elusive, with good speed, balance and quick feet. Weaknesses: Somewhat new to the game and still learning. Does not run with great power.
9. OAKLAND RAIDERS
Ricky Dudley (6-6, 245), TE, Ohio State
Former basketball player, did not become a full-time football player until last season when he was All-Big Ten. Strengths: Tall, long arms and extremely athletic player. Runs very well after the catch. Weaknesses: Still learning how to catch, run routes and especially block.
10. CINCINNATI BENGALS
Willie Anderson (6-5, 325), OT, Auburn
Second team All-America selection and All-SEC pick in 1995. Strengths: Thick and athletic with good balance and strong hands. Weaknesses: Inexperience. Must get stronger and improve pass blocking against speed rushers.
11. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Alex Molden (5-9, 186), DB, Oregon
Returned from serious knee injury in 1992, to make full recovery and become a second team All-American last season. Strengths: Physical, bump-and-run corner with the right temperament for playing man-to-man. Weaknesses: Takes a lot of chances and the repaired knee makes him a bit of a risk.
12. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Regan Upshaw (6-3 1/2, 250), DE, California
28 career sacks and a first team All-Pac-10 player last season, who had a great Hula Bowl. Strengths: Tremendous pass rusher. An incredibly well-built athlete with good quickness. Weaknesses: Needs to add size and power to handle bigger players.
13. CHICAGO BEARS
Walt Harris (5-11, 190), DB, Mississippi State
Moved to safety at the begin of 1995 after stellar ’94 season at cornerback. He moved back to corner seven games into last season. Strengths: Very smooth player, who gets an excellent break on the ball. Weaknesses: Erratic tackler. Scouts differ on whether he should play safety or corner.
14. HOUSTON OILERS
Eddie George (6-2 1/2, 230), RB, Ohio State
1995 Heisman Trophy winner. Ran for 1,927 yards and 24 TDs last season. Strengths: Tough, dedicated, strong and durable. Cuts well and has good stamina. Weaknesses: Does not have great speed and runs high.
15. DENVER BRONCOS
John Mobley (6-1, 230), LB, Kutztown
Division I-AA All-American in 1995, who returned kicks and punts as a senior. Strengths: Great speed, very muscular and coachable. Played very well against top competition at Senior Bowl. Weaknesses: Small with little potential to get bigger.
16. MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Duane Clemons (6-5, 260), DE, California
Redshirted in 1994 to concentrate on academics. Led team in tackles (82) and sacks (10.5) last season, while setting NCAA record with nine blocked kicks. Strengths: Great athlete, strong pass rusher with good size and frame to add more weight. Weaknesses: Lacks football instincts due to inexperience. Needs coaching.
17. DETROIT LIONS
Reggie Brown (6-2, 244), LB, Texas A&M;
Had 90 tackles, seven sacks and was All-SWC first team in 1995. Strengths: Versatile player with good cover skills and speed. Has shown steady improvement. Weaknesses: Slow reactions, needs to fill holes better.
18. ST. LOUIS RAMS
Eddie Kennison (5-11 1/2, 190), WR, Louisiana State
Holds school record for punt returns with 947 yards and was four-time track All-American. Strengths: Great open-field runner who is at his best after the catch. Weaknesses: Missed spring practice due to track, which has led to poor fundamentals, such as route running and proper catching techniques.
19. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Marvin Harrison (6-0, 180), WR, Syracuse
First team All-Big East in 1994 and ’95 and looks like the best in a long line of Syracuse receivers such as Rob Moore and Rob Carpenter. Strengths: Great athlete with terrific speed--ran sub 4.4 40s in postseason workouts--and runs elusively after the catch. Weaknesses: Small frame and not very strong.
20. MIAMI DOLPHINS
Daryl Gardener (6-7, 323), DT, Baylor
Did not emerge as a full-time starter until last season and played left end in a 3-4 defense. Strengths: Awesome combination of size and speed. Runs 40 in under 5 seconds. Weaknesses: Great potential, but very inconsistent player who was far from dominant as a collegian.
21. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Pete Kendall (6-4 1/2, 290), OT, Boston College
Three-year starter at left tackle and an All-Big East selection in 1994 and ’95. Strengths: Plays nasty, smart and intense. Has improved every year. Weaknesses: Stiff and not very athletic player, who will most likely have to learn to play guard in the pros.
22. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Marcus Jones (6-5, 285), DT, North Carolina
1995 All-American, who won ACC discus championship in 1994 despite practicing for only one week. Strengths: Very strong player with a powerful base and the ability to cave in middle of a line. Weaknesses: Needs to read plays better and improve pass-rush skills.
23. DETROIT LIONS
Jeff Hartings (6-3, 288), G, Penn State
Consensus All-American in 1995 and a two-time Academic All-American. Strengths: Quick pulling guard with the ability to block downfield. Weaknesses: Small frame. Pass-blocking skills need work.
24. BUFFALO BILLS
Eric Moulds (6-1, 205), WR, Mississippi State
Led the nation in kick returns his junior year (32.8) and was All-SEC pick last season. Strengths: Long arms, good speed and jumping ability make him an excellent deep threat. Athletically comparable to Keyshawn Johnson. Weaknesses: Plays lazy and lacks concentration at times.
25. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Jermane Mayberry (6-4, 320), OT, Texas A&M; Kingsville
Division II All-American. Missed the Senior Bowl due to ankle sprain, so scouts were unable to see him against top competition. Strengths: Great physical specimen. Very strong legs. Weaknesses: Pass protection and fundamentals. Needs coaching and time.
26. BALTIMORE RAVENS
Ray Lewis (6-0, 235), LB, Miami
Made 212 tackles in his last two seasons at Miami, leading the team both years. Strengths: Intensity. Plays sideline to sideline and makes big plays. Weaknesses: Small player, who runs around blocks and at times runs himself out of plays.
27. GREEN BAY PACKERS
John Michels (6-6, 290), OT, USC
Tony Boselli’s replacement, who earned All-Pac-10 honors in 1995, his first year as a starter. Strengths: Good athlete with quick feet and long arms. Weaknesses: Needs to improve his power, as he is light in the lower body.
28. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Jerome Woods (6-2, 202), DB, Memphis
JC transfer who started in his two seasons at Memphis. Made 120 tackles and six interceptions in 1995. Strengths: Size, speed and athleticism are all first rate. Weaknesses: Better athlete than player.
29. PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Jamain Stephens (6-6, 338), OT, North Carolina A&T;
Started college career as defensive tackle, moved to offense in 1994 and was a Div. I-AA All-American last season. Strengths: Incredible upside potential. Great build and good athleticism. Weaknesses: Very, very raw. Needs coaching in all aspects of line play.
30. WASHINGTON REDSKINS
Andre Johnson (6-5 1/2, 308), OT, Penn State
Second team All-Big Ten as a senior and did not allow a sack as a junior in 1994. Strengths: Great pass-blocking skills and footwork. Weaknesses: Light and thin in the lower body hinders his drive blocking.
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