NFL Draft: Favorite Five

As you read and watch all the players in the upcoming NFL draft, you can't help but find you really like some players, even if you know the chances of your team getting (or wanting them) are slim.

Regardless, I have five favorite players for this draft and wherever they end up, I'll watch their careers with interest, and hopefully I can bump this blog in a few months time and make myself look clever. If they suck, this piece gets forgotten.

Aaron Maybin, Defensive End, Penn State

Maybin is a classic tweener who will either be a DE in a 4-3 or a 3-4 rush linebacker. On the face of things, he has come out too early, is too light (playing weight was 230 pounds at the end of last season) and the Penn State program has not being churning out the best defensive talent in recent years. However, I kind of hope Maybin ends up on a 4-3 team and is used as a pure pass rusher.

In that role I think he can give a team eight to ten sacks with a pure speed-burst off the edge. Sure, he'll get smothered and nullified at times, but he also has some skills that could see him play a little linebacker.

In the long term, he could possibly be a very versatile player who can play early downs as a linebacker and then put his hand on the dirt to rush the QB in obvious passing situations.

Character wise, he goes 100 percent every play and is a hard worker who is a leader of men—all things that will stand him in good stead as he starts his professional career.

Alphonso Smith, Cornerback, Wake Forest

Aaron Curry is getting all the hype for Wake Forest in this draft, and rightfully so, but Smith is someone who could make an instant NFL impact and will only miss out on being an early first-rounder because of his lack of height.

He is a true playmaker with great ball-hawk skills, pure speed, quickness, tackling ability, and return skills. He also makes up for his lack of height with superb leaping ability.

I am confident he will make a fast NFL impact. He is known to take gambles, so you will see his aggressive nature act as his undoing at times.

He may have a bit of a hard time with some of the league's real big receivers, but you'll also see big plays to his new employer's advantage.

Alphonso Smith youtube highlights

Rhett Bomar, Quarterback, Sam Houston State

Matthew Stafford, Mark Sanchez, and even Josh Freeman will all get their headlines this draft day as very probable early first-round picks, but Brett Romar is as talented, if not more, than any QB in this draft.

He messed up his college career after a really promising start as an Oklahoma Sooner. After getting in to Sam Houston State, he blew out his knee.

However, while his character has questions, young people do make mistakes, and his talent is going to get him a pro shot. He can make all the throws, throw well on the run, and is super competitive and confident; he truly believes he is going to be a heck of a quarterback.

My guess is he goes late round two or early round three and he'll have to bide his time. However, if he gets a shot and can keep himself in line, he'll take it with both hands and feet and be a quality starter in the NFL.

Cornelius Ingram, Tight End, Florida

A lot of draft preview pieces talk about how a certain player could go higher had they stayed for their senior year, and while it is likely true of a lot of guys, you also understand why they make the jump when consdiering guys like Cornelius Ingram make the considered choice only to blow out their knee in practice and miss the entire season.

Ingram is a one-trick pony in that he is a wide receiver in a tight end's body. As a blocker, he has a lot to learn, but he does have the frame to grow.

His competitive streak should assist him in becoming a complete player.

As a receiver, though, he has a ton of talent: speed, quickness, soft hands, leaping ability, body control—he is a mis-match waiting to happen in the right system.

At this present time he may need a year to fully find his feet and get into prime shape, but down the line he promises to be a really good receiver who, with the right situation and some hard work, could really develop into a nice find for someone.

He also has that basketball background that is popular in today's tight ends.

Brian Robiskie, Wide Receiver, Ohio St

Brian Robiskie's father is currently Falcons WR coach (and former Redskins interim coach) Terry Robiskie, so you can imagine he has had just a little more tuition than most receivers coming out in this draft.

Robiskie doesn't have burning speed or explosion, but he is a superb route runner with soft hands. He works hard, is competitive and smart, and of all the wide receivers in this draft, I think he could be the one to make the quickest contribution.

Further down the line, he may not reach quite the peaks of some others.

I believe he can be a solid No. 2-type receiver for an NFL right off the bat and have a long, productive career.

Brian Robiskie youtube highlights

Everyone has their favorites in the upcoming draft; who are your's?

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