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Daniel Mogollon takes an in-depth look at round three.
 Photo Credit: College Press Box (Central Florida)
The Lions move up to grab the NCAA’s leading rusher in 2007 as Tatum Bell insurance. The Central Florida product lacks impressive measurables in terms of his speed, but is a better change of direction back than he’s given credit for. Do not be surprised if the man who made a run at Barry Sanders’ college single season record ends up starting in Barry’s old spot by mid-season.
#65 St. Louis Rams: OT John Greco, Toledo
He’s not a household name, but this MAC product presents tremendous upside. The powerful 300-pounder can provide immediate depth along the offensive line at either guard or tackle with the upside to start down the road. He is very strong and more athletic than you might believe.
#66 Miami Dolphins: DE Kendall Langford, Hampton
The ‘Phins trade down and get their man. He’s a bit of tweener—too small to play tackle, too slow to play end—but he may fit in just right in the 3-4 scheme that the Dolphins plan to implement. He is stout enough to handle the rigors that come along with playing inside.
#67 Carolina Panthers: CB Charles Godfrey, Iowa
Godfrey may be a bit of reach in terms of his polish as a corner, however he brings value as a special teams player and adds depth—he can play both corner and safety. His size/speed combo has him looking like a potential starter despite his play at Iowa.
#68 Atlanta Falcons: CB Chevis Jackson, LSU
They stay close to home and grab SEC product Jackson out of LSU. He is physical and tough, but lacks ball skills and ideal speed. A hit or miss pick, Jackson will struggle if asked to cover man-to-man. If they were looking for DeAngelo Hall’s eventual replacement, the Falcons could have done better.
#69 San Diego Chargers: FB Jacob Hester, LSU
Bayou Bengals go back-to-back as Hester finds a nice landing spot in the NFL, leaving the NCAA Champs for a Super Bowl contender. The jack-of-all-trades could be of value to the AFC West Champs as a lead blocker, receiver and a short yardage back—a perfect complement to LaDainian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles.
#70 Chicago Bears: WR Earl Bennett, Vanderbilt
The SEC’s all-time leading receiver is a solid pick for the Bears, who desperately need an upgrade at the receiver position. Bennett should be at least as good as the troika of Brandon Lloyd, Rashied Davis, and an aging Marty Booker. The former Commodore is at least a number three receiver with the upside to develop into a starter.
#71 Baltimore Ravens: LB Tavares Gooden, Miami
He’s not the next coming of Ray Lewis, but this former Cane is a bargain at this point in the draft. He is a three down linebacker with the versatility to play inside or out. Gooden can cover ground against the run and has the athleticism to lock up backs and tight ends in man coverage.
#72 Buffalo Bills: DE Chris Ellis, Virginia Tech
A bit of a tweener, some projected Ellis as an outside linebacker, but he will be a pass rushing specialist for the Bills. The production of Buffalo’s ends dropped in 2007, so that is likely what they were thinking when they picked this former Hokie. Ellis is solid--but not great--value at this point in the draft.
#73 Kansas City Chiefs: RB, Jamaal Charles, Texas
This is among the top third round picks in terms of value. Charles is a strong runner with breakaway speed…an absolute steal at number 73. However with Larry Johnson entrenched as the starter and Kolby Smith coming off a solid rookie season, it was a curious pick…unless they see the writing on the wall with Larry Johnson, who hasn’t been the same since he signed his big contract.
#74 Carolina Panthers: LB, Dan Connor, Penn St.:
Initially, the former Nittany Lion will provide depth at all three linebacker positions. This is a prototypical “value pick”. He is not going to stand out with his measurables, whether it’s size or speed, but he knows how to play the game. He will eventually be a starter in the NFL.
#75 San Francisco: CB/S Reggie Smith, Oklahoma
The former Sooner will provide immediate depth wherever the 49ers need him in the secondary. He could provide value—had he returned, had a big senior season and went through the draft process 100 percent healthy—he would have been a day one guy. Expect Smith to be starting for the 2009 49ers either at safety or corner.
#76 Kansas City Chiefs: TE Brad Cottam, Tennessee
Tony Gonzalez is nearing the end of his Hall of Fame career, so this move is a no-brainer. Cottam steps in immediately as the number two tight end on the roster and shoud step in seamlessly as the starter once Gonzalez hangs ‘em up. Cottam is the biggest tight end in this draft, built like a power forward, with exceptional athleticism for a man of his size. He has upside both as a pass catcher and a blocker.
#77 Cincinnati Bengals: DT Pat Sims, Auburn
Two thoughts immediately come to mind: first, what a steal! Second, here go the Bengals again drafting a player with some off the field question marks. It appears Sims has straightened out his life outside of the football, but you never know. As a player, had Sims returned to Auburn for his senior campaign there is little doubt he would have emerged as a first round pick in 2009. He will compete for a starting role in 2008 in Cincy.
#78 New England Patriots: OLB Shawn Crable, Michigan
This is the ideal spot for the Michigan man. He clearly has the ability to get into the backfield and disrupt the opponent’s passing game. Having experience both as a linebacker and a rush defensive end, you can be sure that the Patriots will put his versatility to good use, playing him both as a standup linebacker and with his hand on the ground. This is an excellent value pick, as New England is sure to maximize his potential
#79 Houston Texans: CB Antwaun Molden, Eastern Kentucky
Molden comes in as a bit of an unknown, who could very well have been a first or second round pick had he gone to a BCS school. Not only did Molden have to overcome the small school bias entering the draft, but the shadow cast by Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Molden held his own at the Texas vs. Nation game and appears to have all the tools necessary to play on Sundays. He can also contribute as a return man. Depending on Dunta Robinson’s health, Molden could compete for a starting job from day one.
#80 Philadelphia Eagles: DE Brian Smith, McNeese St.
Back-to-back FCS players go off the board. Smith is another tweener who can end up playing either at defensive end or outside linebacker. He may have been a better fit for a team that employs the 3-4 defense because he lacks ideal bulk to play end and is unproven playing in a two-point stance. Smith will likely be able to contribute as pass rusher, but it is unclear if will ever do much more.
#81 Arizona Cardinals: WR Early Doucet, LSU
This is excellent value at this point in the draft. Like many of the receivers in this class, Doucet is never going to be a number one wide receiver, but on Arizona he doesn’t need to be. Doucet should easily replace Bryant Johnson as the Cards’ number three receiver. If he can stay healthy, which is a question mark, Doucet may even provide some insurance should they be unable to come to terms with Anquan Boldin long-term.
#82 Kansas City Chiefs: FS DaJuan Morgan, North Carolina St.
Morgan will push for playing time early on and could break into Herm Edwards’ starting lineup from day one. He is bright and instinctive—the former Wolfpack should provide leadership in the defensive backfield even at young age. He has limited upside in terms of his measurables, but could be a better football player than he is a workout warrior.
#83 Tampa Bay Buccaneers: OG Jeremy Zuttah, Rutgers
The Rutgers product put all his attributes on display at the NFL Scouting Combine. The Bucs are getting someone who has the size, speed and athleticism to be a force along the offensive line. No matter who is in the Tampa backfield, Zuttah should make a difference in the running game. He has some experience as a tackle and could provide depth there in a pinch.
#84 Atlanta Falcons: WR Harry Douglas, Atlanta
The former Louisville product will start down on the depth chart and he may not see much playing time in year one—this was a definitely a reach in the third round. What Douglas is, is a solid reliable pass catcher who down the road could develop into Matt Ryan’s security blanket. In the mold of Wayne Chrebet or Wes Welker, slot receivers usually don’t have much value on draft day, but this could end up looking like a shrewd pick.
#85 Tennessee Titans: TE Craig Stevens, Cal
This is yet another sign that the Titans will focus on running the football in 2008 and beyond. Stevens may be the best blocker among the tight ends and will be a perfect complement to the pass catching Alge Crumpler. However, he will not take much pressure off of Vince Young or the Titans passing game. He was a bit of a reach because of his lack of upside.
#86 Baltimore Ravens: SS Tom Zbikowski, Notre Dame
The man they call Zibi will come in and compete for playing time along side Ed Reed, which could be a nice landing spot for the former Golden Domer. Zbikowski has good measurables and is the kind of tough guy Ray Lewis will love. He is a bit of a boom or bust pick as he did not seem to play up to his abilities at Notre Dame, too often finding himself out of position. He will be a major contributor on special teams at the very least.
#87 Detroit Lions: DT, Andre Fluellen, Florida St.
This pick is reach, as Fluellen needs to get bigger and stronger. Fluellen has flashed the ability to get into the backfield, but is not a consistent performer and was not as productive as expected during his senior season. They needed to add someone at defensive tackle after trading away Shaun Rogers, but to say Fluellen is that guy would be a major leap of faith.
#88 Pittsburgh Steelers: OLB, Bruce Davis, UCLA
Davis is another player who went off the board before anticipated, but one could see what the Steelers were thinking. He was clearly undersized as a defensive end, but could be a fit as an outside linebacker in the Steelers 3-4 scheme a la LaMarr Woodley. Davis has upside as a pass rusher and will provide depth and will push second year players Woodley and last year’s first round pick Lawrence Timmons.
#89 Houston Texans: RB Steve Slaton, West Virginia
This was one of the most puzzling picks of this draft. Slaton is an undersized back who underwhelmed with his speed and athleticism at the NFL Scouting Combine. The Texans need a feature back, but have a deep backfield. So unless those ahead of him on the dept chart get injured, he may not see much playing time as a rookie. Slaton has some upside, but are the Texans really in position to take a luxury pick in the third round?
#90 Chicago Bears: DT Marcus Harrison, Arkansas
If Harrison were healthy and without any off the field baggage, the Arkansas product could have been a late first round pick. He is a penetrating tackle who needs to add some strength if is to fulfill his potential. It was a boom or bust pick that, at this point in the draft, was well worth the risk. If Lovie Smith has the key to unlock his potential, Harrison could end up being a steal.
#91 Green Bay Packers: TE Jermichael Finley, Texas
The former Texas product came out too early, but in a year or two Finley could be the best tight end in this draft. He is an outstanding athlete who is so smooth in the open field and as a pass catcher that he looks like a big wide receiver. Obviously with only two years of college he is raw and he needs to get both bigger and stronger if he is ever going to contribute as a blocker. All in all, this was a great pick as the Pack look to find Bubba Franks’ replacement.
#92 Detroit Lions: DE Cliff Avril, Purdue
Avril appeared to be a fast riser coming off his stellar performance at the NFL Scouting Combine, but apparently the NFL scouts were not as impressed as many others. At this spot, Avril brings good value, but it appears his skill set is better suited to playing outside linebacker in the 3-4 scheme. Avril is intriguing in terms of his ability to get to the quarterback, but he could get pushed around at the point of attack.
#93 Indianapolis Colts: LB Phillip Wheeler, Georgia Tech
The speedy attacking linebacker looks to be an ideal fit for what the Colts like to do defensively. If he doesn’t compete for a starting role in year one, the former Yellow Jacket will still be able to contribute at all three linebacker positions. He may not be a three down player, but the Colts should let him loose on first and second down, allowing Wheeler to wreak havoc like he did at Georgia Tech.
#94 New England Patriots: Kevin O’Connell, San Diego St.
Matt Cassell…you are officially on the clock. O’Connell has excellent upside with ideal size and tremendous athleticism. He is physically impressive, which is why the Pats liked him better than bigger names such as John David Booty, Eric Ainge, Dennis Dixon or Josh Johnson. O’Connell is raw, and is just as likely to bounce pass to an open receiver as he is to throw a perfect Tom Brady spiral.
#95 New York Giants: WR Mario Manningham, Michigan
The Super Bowl champs get tremendous value late in the third round. Yes, he has severe character issues and he lacks ideal size, but he is a playmaker who, based on talent, could have easily gone about 60 picks higher. He will have to earn his playing time, with the ideal situation having fellow Michigan man Amani Toomer, a class act, take Super Mario under his wing. At this point, Manningham was worth the risk and could be the bargain of the draft.
#96 Washington Redskins: OT Chad Rinehart, Northern Iowa
It would have been interesting to see if Washington could have passed up on Manningham, but the Skins finally decided to address another part of the offense. Rinehart has good size and versatility and will provide depth early on with the hopes he can eventually take over one of the tackle spots. He didn’t post the best combine numbers, but looks like a natural in the positional drills. This was a solid pick.
#97 Cincinnati Bengals: WR Andre Caldwell, Florida
This is another great value pick. Caldwell had the same exact 40-time as DeSean Jackson, but carries an extra 30 pounds on his frame. Caldwell has good hands and is at his best after the catch, which should make him the ideal candidate to take over the slot receiver role. He provides depth, long term insurance and can contribute on special teams. He joins second round pick Jerome Simpson in what could be a stockpiling of artillery for an organizational battle with disgruntled receiver Chad Johnson.
#98 Atlanta Falcons: FS Thomas DeCoud, Cal
DeCoud has solid size and speed, and the former Golden Bear loves to bring it—he’s a big hitter. However, he is not great in coverage, a bit stiff, and at times can be overaggressive, finding himself out of position. Durability is yet another concern. On a positive note, DeCoud should be a major contributor on special teams. While this is probably a round or two too early, if Jimmy Williams cannot make the transition from corner to safety, DeCoud could end up competing with second year man Darren Stone for playing time.
#99 Baltimore Ravens: OT Oniel Cousins, UTEP
The Ravens swooped in and made one of the top picks of this round, selecting the former defensive lineman with the final pick. He is raw and still learning how to play on this side of the ball, but possesses intriguing athleticism for an offensive lineman and he can play either guard or tackle. Cousins has enough physical ability to become the heir to Jonathan Ogden at left tackle.
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