By By Stan Torgerson / sports columnist
April 20, 2004
For professional football fans, Saturday's NFL draft is the equivalent of signing day in college football. What you get is what can make or break your team in the season and seasons ahead.
I've tried to do my homework and here are a few observations about the upcoming draft, Mississippi players and a few others.
Quarterback: Eli Manning, Ole Miss. First pick of the draft. There's been talk about San Diego trading down and letting the New York Giants acquire Manning, but all winning teams start with the quarterback and in lieu of the sorry seasons the Chargers have had in recent years the Ole Miss star is the building block on which their future must be built.
To me, one of the most interesting prospects for rounds 4-7 is Jared Lorenzen, Kentucky's king-size (6-3, 288) quarterback. He's got a powerful arm and at his size he's hard to drag down. He does make a lot of dumb, split second decisions, however. The Saints are said to be interested in him as a backup to Aaron Brooks. Mental bookends.
Wide Receiver: Probably the position most loaded with talent this year. Justin Jenkins, Mississippi State, is getting some consideration for the sixth or seventh round but it's iffy. Manning's favorite target in college, Chris Collins, will probably have to make it as a free agent. Don't be surprised if LSU's Michael Clayton goes the first day. The New Orleans Saints like him a lot. So do I. He runs great routes and can catch the ball. In the Ole Miss-LSU game last fall Clayton seemed to almost pop up out of the ground in a real where-did-he-come-from performance. As I remember, nine catches in the first half.
Running Back: No in-state player is under consideration. Shaud Williams, Alabama, has a seventh-round chance, but likely will be a free agent.
Offensive Tackle: No Mississippi prospects. If Eli Manning isn't the first pick it will only be because Iowa offensive tackle Robert Gallery (6-7. 323) is.
Guard: A position lacking in talent this year. Stacy Andrews of Ole Miss has been mentioned, but only as a long shot. Alabama's Justin Smiley is the likely first guard chosen, but not until the second round.
Center: No Mississippi prospects.
Tight End: No Mississippi Prospects. Miami's Kellen Winslow is a lock to be the first tight end chosen but let's ask which is the bigger head case, Winslow or Maurice Clarett?
Defensive End: No Mississippi Prospect. Alabama's Antwan Odom will go in round two.
Defensive Tackle: Tommy Kelly, Mississippi State will likely be picked somewhere in rounds 5-7. No others being considered.
Safety: Etric Pruitt, Southern Mississippi. Should go in rounds 4 or 5. He's the only one.
Cornerback: Another position loaded with draftable talent. Greg Brooks of Southern Mississippi has a chance to be a late rounder but in this day of 6-foot-3, 220-pound wide receivers he is oh so small at 5-foot-10, 173. Von Hutchins of Ole Miss has gotten some mention for rounds 6 or 7 but at 5-foot-10 and 185 he's small too. My guess is free agency for both.
Outside Linebacker: No Mississippi Prospects.
Inside Linebacker: Despite the fact that he played better as a junior than he did as a senior Southern Mississippi's Rod Davis will be drafted, probably in rounds 4 or 5. Not as quick as they would like but at 6-2 and 239 he has the size the pros look for.
New Orleans Saints: As this area's favorite pro team we did some studying about their wants and needs as seen by the New Orleans media. The Saints draft 18th and the feeling is their biggest need is a cornerback. If he is still available when their number comes up it is believed the Saints are likely to select Dunta Robinson of South Carolina. He too is small 5-11, 186 but he can fly. At the NFL Combine he was the second fastest defensive back tested, turning in a 4:34 in the 40. When they tested him in the 20 yard short-shuttle he turned in a 3.73, the fastest of all the defensive backs.
The Saints have seven picks in all, 18, 48, 60, 81, 182, 206 and 240. They'll also be looking for a defensive tackle, a linebacker and a receiver.
This was not a big year in Mississippi for pro prospects. Eli Manning was in a class by himself, of course, but most of the rest will have to struggle to find an NFL job. Saturday and Sunday we'll see their journey to fame and fortune begin.