Underclassmen declaring

[Aloysius]

Updated List:

• Matt Stafford, QB, Georgia
  • 6'3", 236 lbs., 4.78 40
  • Projected: Round 1
  • Player Comparison: Jay Cutler
• Mark Sanchez, QB, USC
  • 6'3", 225 lbs., 4.85 40
  • Projected: Round 1
  • Player Comparison: Brady Quinn
• Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
  • 6'3", 214 lbs., 4.54 40
  • Projected: Round 1
  • Player Comparison: Braylon Edwards
• Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
  • 6'4", 340 lbs., 5.28 40
  • Projected: Round 1
  • Player Comparison: Willie Anderson
• Everette Brown, DE-OLB, Florida State
  • 6'4", 252 lbs., 4.65 40
  • Projected: Round 1
  • Player Comparison: Gaines Adams
• Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia
  • 5'11", 208 lbs., 4.48 40
  • Projected: Round 1
  • Player Comparison: Clinton Portis
• Chris "Beanie" Wells, RB, Ohio State
  • 6'1", 237 lbs., 4.53 40
  • Projected: Round 1
  • Player Comparison: Larry Johnson
• Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri
  • 6'1", 200 lbs., 4.38 40
  • Projected: Round 1
  • Player Comparison: Torry Holt
• Percy Harvin, WR, Florida
  • 5'11", 195 lbs., 4.36 40
  • Projected: Round 1
• D.J. Moore, CB, Vanderbilt
  • 5'10", 184 lbs., 4.45 40
  • Projected: Round 1
  • Player Comparison: Terence Newman
• Paul Kruger, DE-OLB, Utah
  • 6'4", 255 lbs., 4.68 40
  • Projected: late Round 1/early Round 2
  • Player Comparison: Patrick Kerney
• Eben Britton, OT, Arizona
  • 6'6", 310 lbs., 5.09 40
  • Projected Round: late Round 1/early Round 2
  • Player Comparison: Jeff Backus
• Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois
  • 6'0", 204 lbs., 4.42 40
  • Projected: late Round 1/early Round 2
  • Player Comparison: Antrel Rolle
• Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina
  • 6'1", 210 lbs., 4.57 40
  • Projected: late Round 1/early Round 2
  • Player Comparison: Chad Johnson
• Brandon LaFell, WR, LSU
  • 6'3", 210 lbs., 4.54 40
  • Projected: late Round 1/early Round 2
• Sean Smith, CB-S, Utah
  • 6'3", 210, 4.52 40
  • Projected: late Round 1/early Round 2
  • Player Comparison: Mike Rumph
• Lesean McCoy, RB, Pitt
  • 5'11", 210 lbs., 4.49 40
  • Projected: late Round 1/early Round 2
• Shonn Greene, RB, Iowa
  • 5'11", 235 lbs., 4.58 40
  • Projected: Round 2
  • Player Comparison: Jonathan Stewart
• Donald Brown, RB, Connecticut
  • 5'10", 210 lbs., 4.49 40
  • Projected: Round 2
  • Player Comparison: Vernand Morency
• Aaron Maybin, DE-OLB, Penn State
  • 6'4", 242 lbs., 4.67 40
  • Projected: Round 2
  • Player Comparison: Andre Carter
• Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland
  • 6'2", 206 lbs., 4.37 40
  • Projected: Round 2
  • Player Comparison: Javon Walker
• Jared Cook, TE, South Carolina
  • 6'5", 240 lbs., 4.58 40
  • Projected: late Round 2/early Round 3
  • Player Comparison: Kevin Everett
• Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers
  • 6'4", 215 lbs., 4.54 40
  • Projected: late Round 2/early Round 3
  • Player Comparison: Limas Sweed
• Nate Davis, QB, Ball State
  • 6'1", 218 lbs., 4.78 40
  • Projected: late Round 2/early Round 3
• Asher Allen, CB, Georgia
  • 5'10", 198 lbs., 4.48 40
  • Projected: late Round 2/early Round 3
• James Casey, TE, Rice
  • 6'4", 235 lbs., 4.68 40
  • Projected: late Round 2/early Round 3
  • Player Comparison: Doug Jolley
• Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State
  • 6'6", 248 lbs., 4.86 40
  • Projected: late Round 2/early Round 3
  • Player Comparison: Daunte Culpepper
• Captain Munnerlyn, CB, South Carolina
  • 5'9", 185 lbs., 4.39 40
  • Projected: late Round 2/early Round 3
  • Player Comparison: Jason Webster
• Sen'Derrick Marks, DT, Auburn
  • 6'1", 295 lbs., 4.93 40
  • Projected: late Round 2/early Round 3
  • Player Comparison: Anthony "Booger" McFarland
• Austin Collie, WR, BYU
  • 6'2", 206 lbs., 4.56 40
  • Projected: Round 3
  • Player Comparison: Anthony Gonzalez
• Chris Baker, DT, Hampton (PSU transfer)
  • 6'2", 308 lbs., 5.08 40
  • Projected: Round 3
• Brandon Williams, DE, Texas Tech
  • 6'5", 252 lbs., 4.76 40
  • Projected: Round 4
  • Player Comparison: Mark Anderson
• Maurice Evans, DE-OLB, Penn State
  • 6'2", 265 lbs., 4.76 40
  • Projected: Round 4
• Ricky Jean-Francois, DT, LSU
  • 6'3", 290 lbs., 4.86 40
  • Projected: Round 4
• Emmanuel Cook, SS, South Carolina
  • 5'10", 205 lbs., 4.52 40
  • Projected: Round 4
  • Player Comparison: Mike Doss
• Jeremy Childs, WR, Boise State
  • 6'0", 196 lbs., 4.48 40
  • Projected: Round 4
• Gerald McRath, OLB, Southern Miss
  • 6'3", 220 lbs., 4.62 40
  • Projected: Round 5
  • Player Comparison: Gerris Wilkinson
• Glen Coffee, RB, Alabama
  • 6'1", 204 lbs., 4.53 40
  • Projected: Round 5
  • Player Comparison: Ciatrick Fason
• Jerraud Powers, CB, Auburn
  • 5'9", 192 lbs., 4.49 40
  • Projected: late Round 5/early Round 6
  • Player Comparison: Hank Poteat
• P.J. Hill, RB, Wisconsin
  • 5'11", 236 lbs., 4.59 40
  • Projected: late Round 6/early Round 7
  • Player Comparison: Cedric Houston
• Kevin Ogletree, WR, Virginia
  • 6'2", 190 lbs., 4.50 40
  • Projected: late Round 6/early Round 7
  • Player Comparison: Lee Mays
• Greg Isdaner, OG, West Virginia
  • 6'4", 322 lbs., 5.19 40
  • Projected: late Round 6/early Round 7
  • Player Comparison: Mike McGlynn

Still haven't made an official decision:

[mz.]

Aloysius said:

Eric Norwood, OLB, South Carolina

6'0", 267 lbs., 4.77 40

Projected: Round 4

Player Comparison: Elvis Dumervil

Bingo! Love this dude (and Dumervil, too).

[Aloysius]

Yeah, Norwood's definitely a player. I think he could even play ILB in a 3-4; I love how easily he sheds blocks.

My guess is that a bad 40 time (he ran a 4.93 coming out of HS) will damage his draft stock, making him available at the top of Round 4. He'd be a tremendous value at that point.

[YtownBrownsBacker]

I think this is just the tip of the iceburg. There could be a hugh group of underclassmen that declare. That could make this a very deep draft. We need to trade DA and get some more draft picks.

[YtownBrownsBacker]

@shepwrite said:

Gonna be some nice backs there early in round 2, huh?

Dude, if I knew Shonn Greene could be as good as Jonathan Stewart, I'd trade down a little and take him at 15.

You probably can get him at #37. I would like to get another #2 and a #3 for this draft. I'd trade down from #5 to #15 to pick up a few other picks. there will be impact defensive players in the middle of the first round and also impact RBs at the top of the second round. There may be some very nice receivers at the top of round 3.

Trade down and get what you can for DA. That should get us 5 picks in the top 100.

[Aloysius]

Curtis Martin is an interesting comparison for Brown. Personally, I see him as a poor man's DeAngelo Williams: average size & speed, but great vision and makes very good cuts.

Here are two other underclassmen who declared today:

• Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
  • 6'4", 340 lbs., 5.28 40
  • Projected: Round 1
  • Player Comparison: Willie Anderson
• Gerald McRath, OLB, Southern Miss
  • 6'3", 220 lbs., 4.59 40
  • Projected: Round 2

[Mr. T]

Shonn Greene's stock will rise if Beanie stays 1 more year.

[mz.]

Add Hakeem Nicks to the list, via Rotoworld.

North Carolina WR Hakeem Nicks will forgo his final season with the Tar Heels and enter the NFL Draft.

Brandon Tate began '08 as the Heels' most touted receiver, but after he tore his ACL Nicks took over and dominated, finishing with 1,222 yards (18.0 YPC) on 68 catches and exploding for 8-217-3 in the Meineke Car Care Bowl vs. West Virginia. No one in the nation improved his draft stock as much as Nicks in the college postseason and it could net him first-round status in April.

[mz.]

Aloysius said:

Eric Norwood, OLB, South Carolina

6'0", 267 lbs., 4.77 40

Projected: Round 4

Player Comparison: Elvis Dumervil

Updating this, Norwood has decided to stay in school.

[Chicopee John]

Zombo said:

I haven't seen our resident draftniks talking about this guy much. Looks like Curtis Martin-type, size, speed and production maybe?

I don't think I've ever watched a UConn football game, but he ran for like 800 yards over Buffalo yesterday.

Any interest?Zombo

People here, Zombo, are still trying to come to grips with the notion that a UCONN FOOTBALL player could be rated so high.

I've watched this guy play for 3 years and he just kept coming and coming.

Edsall is still at a huge disadvantage when recruiting and like with other UCONN players (maybe 3 or 4 drafted this year), they were not highly touted out of High School. That is what impresses me most about Edsall - he really develops his players.

I believe Brown can be a solid NFL RB. He can stiff-arm like somebody who played 40 years ago.

He could be a good 'value' late 2 or early-mid Rd 3.

PS He previously stated that he was going to return to UCONN - he is just about graduated any way, but after Edsall did some NFL due diligence, he must have told him and his parentS that his stock was pretty high and there would not be much to gain if he played another year (see Brohm).

Good kid. The capital 'S' at the end of parents was no mistake. A solid citizen.

[Chicopee John]

Aloysius said:

Curtis Martin is an interesting comparison for Brown. Personally, I see him as a poor man's DeAngelo Williams: average size & speed, but great vision and makes very good cuts.

Excellent observation. In addition to his devastating (sp) stiff arm, he REALLY knows how to use his blockers.

[mz.]

@chicopee-john said:

People here, Zombo, are still trying to come to grips with the notion that a UCONN FOOTBALL player could be rated so high.

Like the back, hate the program.

[mz.]

Looks like George Selvie is staying at USF. I liked this guy a lot as a round 2 pick for us...

Tom NYC: According to the Tampa Trib, George Selvie is returning to USF for a senior year. Is George making the right decision.

SportsNation Mel Kiper: (1:07 PM ET ) I think he is. He did not have the great, great year you thought he would. He had a phenomenal sophomore year. He led the nation in sacks. He's a speed rusher. He's only 6-4, so he's not a big DE, but he's made for a 3-4 scheme. The first half of the season, he was not the great, great performer you thought he would be. By going back, he becomes, automatically the 1 or 2 ranked DE coming back. We'll have to see what Hardy from Ole Miss does.

[AZBrowns]

Want to sew up the offensive line and get a better right tackle than kevin Shaffer? Draft this guy if he is available in the second round .....

Aloysius said:

[*] Eben Britton, OT, Arizona

• 6'6", 310 lbs., 5.09 40
• Projected Round: late Round 1/early Round 2
• Player Comparison: Jeff Backus

All Pac-10 Left Tackle who spent his first two years impressing as a right tackle.

[mz.]

Sorry to pimp Kiper today, but he's chock-full-'o info for us Browns fans...

Dave (Omaha, NE): What team(s) would be the best fit for Shonn Greene, and where do you see him ending up?

SportsNation Mel Kiper: (1:36 PM ET ) Shonn Greene, this is his first season at Iowa where he was the featured back. He was out of football last year. He went over 100 yards every game. He has that low, powerful base. Picks up a lot of yards after the initial contact. Good balance, He averaged over 6 yards per carry. Scored double digit TDs. He has to become a better pass receiving option at the next level. He has to work on his hands and his blocking. As a runner, he presents a lot of options. He'll have to work in tandem with a back that can catch the ball and is elusive. Greene will be the power runner. Most of the teams in the NFL now have two backs. There are not a lot of teams right now that are desperate. The Patriots could be a team. Possibly the Bengals. The team that is No. 1 looking for a RB is Cleveland. Another team is Houston, with Steve Slaton. That would be a possibility. The Seahawks.

via here.

To me, "work in tandem with a back that can catch the ball and is elusive" is J Harrison to a tee.

[Mr. T]

Norwood and Greene should be impact players, I can see both going in the first round.

[WVBrownsfan]

Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford and running back Knowshon Moreno, who led the SEC in passing and rushing this season, respectively, are expected to announce Wednesday that they will enter April's NFL draft.

- ESPN.com

[WVBrownsfan]

Just heard tonight on FSN Pittsburgh that Pitt RB Lesean McCoy will announce tomorrow (Fri.) that he will enter the NFL draft.

[WVBrownsfan]

Zombo said:

I like him a lot.

But then again, I wanted Adrian Peterson ... what do I know?

Zombo

His family got the draft report on him and it stated he would be a 1st or high 2nd round pick and they feel with a strong combine he will go in the first.

[JC]

Zombo said:

He has impressed the hell out of me when I have watched him. And his HS and college production is off the charts.

If he were there early 2nd round I'd think you'd have to jump on that.

Zombo

I would be on board with this. I've seen McCoy play a lot the last two years and he's impressed me. I would be happy with him or Greene in the second round. One of them should be there.