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Top offensive prospects

By Robert Baker, 49ers Clubhouse draft writer

Updated March 24, 2000

 
TOP 5 QUARTERBACKS

1. James ‘Chad’ Pennington   Marshall     6’2”  210lbs   4.8
1999: 275-405 (68%) 3799 yrds 37 TD 10 Int
Top Quarterback going into the draft. Good size, good arm strength, accurate and tough. Makes great decisions and reads defenses well. Intelligent winning several academic awards. Natural leader.
Top 7

2. Chris Redman   Louisville     6’3” 225lbs   4.9
1999: 317-489 (65%) 3647 yrds 13 TD 13 Int
Mobile, but feels more comfortable in the pocket where he relies on his arm strength. Looks at every receiver on the field, not just his number one, which most rookies have a habit of doing.
Late 1st to Early 2nd Round

3. Tim Rattay   Louisiana Tech     6’1” 200lbs   4.8
1999: 342-516 (66%) 3922 yrds 35 TD 12 Int
Would be great in a West Coast offence. Accurate with decent arm strength, will run out of the pocket and finds open receivers. His physical skills lack a bit, but he has great competitiveness.
Early to Mid 1st Round

4. Giovanni Carmazzi   Hofstra     6’2” 220lbs     4.7
1999: 216-346 (62%) 2651 yrds 21 TD 10 Int
He he’d played at a bigger school, there would be a lot more hype around him. Another QB that would be suited to a West Coast offence. Accurate, mobile and good arm strength.
Late 2nd to early 3rd Round

5. Tamaurice ‘Tee’ Martin   Tennessee   6’2” 220lbs   4.6
1999: 184-399 (54%) 2317 yrds 12 TD 9 Int
Great physical skills. A very mobile QB. Needs some help throwing a deep ball, but has a strong arm. Will take a while to adjust to the pro’s, but won’t be a bad QB in the end.
Mid to Late 3rd Round

STEAL. Joe Hamilton   Georgia Tech   5’10” 190lbs   4.5
1999: 203-305 (67%) 3060yrds 29 TD 11 Int
His height is the main worry to Pro scouts. Moves well, fastest QB in draft, accurate and suited to a West Coast offence. There has been comparisons to him and Doug Fluitie, due to their lack of height.
Late 3rd to early 4th Round


TOP 5 RUNNING BACKS

1. Thomas Jones   Virginia     5’10 210lbs   4.45
1999: 334-1798 yrds 5.4 ave 16 TD
Compared to Marshall Faulk. Small, good vision, amazing bursts of speed, explosive and can even block well for a guy his size. Isn’t a great receiver, but should become one when NFL coaches work on him.
Top 5

2. Shaun Alexander   Alabama     6’0” 220lbs   4.6
1999: 302-1383 yrds 4.6 ave 18 TD
The strongest HB receiving wise in the draft. Also an excellent rusher that is difficult to tackle. One worry is his speed, if he can get his time down a bit, he could be the best HB in the draft and a top 5 choice.
Top15

3. Jamal Lewis   Tennessee     6’0” 225lbs   4.5
1999: 182-816 yrds 4.5 ave 7 TD
I once had him as my top HB of the draft, but I don’t think NFL teams have the high opinion I have on him. Blew out his knee in his sophomore year. I he stayed for his final year, would be the number one ranked HB next year. Could end up as being the best HB of the draft in five years.
Mid 1st Round

4. Ron Dayne   Wisconsin     5’10” 250lbs   4.65
1999: 303-1834 yrds 6.1 ave 17 TD
Takes a lot to take him down and doesn’t really need a FB blocking for him. Worries about his ankles. One of the best college HB (Stats wise), but I don’t think he’ll be able to put up the same numbers he did in college. Look for him to go to the NY Giants.
Mid 1st Round

5. Shyrone Stith   Virginia Tech     5’8” 205lbs   4.4
1999: 226-1119 yrds 5.0 ave 13 TD
Very Underrated and may have a great Pro career ahead. Can break out for big runs and can run all day. A ground type runner. Can take it outside and has a good burst of speed.
Mid to Late 1st Round

STEAL. Travis Prentice   Miami (Ohio)     6’1” 225lbs   4.5
1999: 354-1659 yrds 4.7 ave 17 TD
Not first preference in any NFL scout’s notebook, probably luck to sneak into the top 7, but watch him. The five or six above him are safer choices, but he’s big, strong, powerful, can find the endzone and has speed.
Early to Mid 2nd Round

TOP 3 FULL BACKS

1. Deon Dyer   North Carolina     6’0” 250lbs   4.9
1999: 73-233 rush 2 TD 7-55 rec 1 TD
Great lead blocker, strong and  is able to make big holes. Can pound it on short yardage situations and is a good reciever.
Late 4th Round

2. Aaron Shea   Michigan     6’4” 255lbs   4.65
1999: 31-239 rec 3 TD
Tight End turned Full Back, so he is deadly catching out of the backfield. May need to work on blocking skills, but shows a lot of potential.
Late 4th to Early 5th Round

3. Aaron Harris   Penn St.     5’11” 240lbs   4.55
1999: 50-206 rush 3 TD 14-57 rec
Can run the ball well, catches out of the backfield well. His blocking lets him down a lot, if he could block better, may be the best FB in the draft.
Late 5th Round


TOP 5 WIDE RECIEVERS

1. Peter Warrick   Florida St     5’11 195lbs   4.4
1999: 71-934 yrds 8 TD
The best offensive player in the draft without a doubt, maybe even the best in the draft. Safe hands, great RAC, good route runner. Quite simply amazing. Run in with the law won’t hurt his stock.
Top 5

2. Plaxico Burress   Michigan St.     6’6” 230lbs   4.6
1999: 52-932 yrds 9 TD
His size is probably his most deadliest weapon. Hard to cover due that fact. Has good hands, but does drop a few balls. With the right coaching and if he can get his concentration 100% on the field, will be a great pick.
Top 7

3. Jerry Porter   West Virginia     6’2” 215lbs   4.4
1999: 15-301 yrds 4 TD
In his Junior season played as a Free Safety and played half his Senior season there as well. Good size, athletism and great speed. Will need some coaching to rich his full potential.
Mid 1st Round

4. Dennis Northcutt   Georgia Tech     5’10” 170lbs   4.5
1999: 88-1422 yrds 8 TD
Small, but doesn’t effect him too much. Good hands. Runs Good routs. Greatest weapon is that he is able to go deep. Doesn’t have great speed like Lavaranues Cole, but still is quick.
Mid 1st Round

5. Sylvester Morris   Jackson St.     6’3” 205lbs   4.4
1999: 63-1139 yrds 13 TD
Another with height on his side. Good speed to go with it. One worry is that there is a hell of a lot of difference between small school defenders and NFL defenders. Also doesn’t put 100% into each play, which he will have to do in the NFL.
Mid 1st Round

6. Dez White   Georgia Tech     6’2” 215lbs   4.5
1999: 44-860 yrds 5 TD
Isn’t fast and won’t be able to beat NFL defenders with his speed. Once again, another with height and knows how to use it. Go over the middle to make a catch and can go deep.
Late 1st Round

SLEEPER: Laveranues Coles   Florida St.     5’11” 195lbs   4.25
1999: 12-179 yrds 1 TD (Kicked out of school early in season)
The fastest player in the nation, which is a big weapon. Can go deep and over the middle. Would be a higher pick, but run inns with the law with Warrick have cost him much more than it has Warrick.
Late 2nd to Early 3rd Round

TOP 3 TIGHT ENDS

1. Daniel ‘Bubba’ Franks   Miami (Florida)     6’6” 260lbs   4.7
1999: 40-503 yrds 5 TD
Has tremendous physical skills. Aggressive run blocker who is extremely strong. He also has a great attitude and is willing to work to improve. Has soft hands. A great prospect, future Pro Bowler.
Top 15

2. Anthony Becht   West Virginia     6’5” 260lbs   4.8
1999: 35-510 yrds 5 TD
Not a great run blocker yet, but does show some promise, being strong and intelligent. Can get open and has soft hands. Will be an all purpose Tight End in the NFL, and with a bit of coaching, may be a good starter.
Mid to Late 2nd ROund

3. Casey Crawford   Virginia     6’6” 250lbs   4.8
1999:11-183 yrds 1 TD


TOP 5 OFFENSIVE LINEMAN

1. Chris Samuels   Alabama     6’5” 290lbs   5.0
Intelligent and always puts in 100%. Great run blocker and pass blocker. Quick, agile and has light feet. He is experienced as well, starting ever since his freshman year. Help Shaun Alexander put up the numbers he did.
Top 5

2. Chris McIntosh   Wisconsin     6’7” 320lbs   5.4
Blocked for Ron Dayne, the best statistical college runner, his entire college career. Great run blocker, but didn’t get to see much of his passing abilities because Wisconsin prefer the run.
Top 15

3. Marvel Smith   Arizona St.     6’5” 310lbs   5.2
Has contributed to JR Redmonds success. Has great speed, excellent footwork and is very, very agile. Would have definitely been top Offensive Lineman taken next year if he choose to stay on.
Mid to Late 1st Round

4. Stocker McDougle   Oklahoma     6’6” 350lbs   5.3
Is a solid run blocker and a solid pass blocker. Has great height, strength speed and footwork to succeed in the NFL, all he needs is the right coaching and he’ll become agreat starter.
Late 1st Round

5. Todd Wade   Mississippi   6’7” 320lbs   5.1
Has excellent technique, footwork, speed and has good size. Solid tun blocker and pass blocker. He has played against some of the best Defensive Lines in the tough SEC division, and has confirmed himself as a top OT.
Late 1st to Early 2nd Round

SLEEPER. Chad Clifton   Tennessee   6’5” 315lbs   5.3
This guy is a battler and is very consistent. He has great technique and can open up holes for the running game. He is strong, but isn’t overpowering, one aspect of his game he may have to work on.
Mid 2nd Round

TOP 5 OFFENSIVE GUARDS

1. Cosey Coleman   Tennessee     6’4” 320lbs   5.2
Can play either guard or tackle, but better suited to a guard. Intelligent. Athletic, Agile and Strong. He uses his hand extremely well, is an excellent run blocker and has a great work ethic to go with it.
Mid to Late 1st Round

2. Travis Claridge   Southern California     6’5” 310lbs   5.2
Started all four years at SC, but plagued with shoulder and ankle injuries. Another that can play either G or T, but again better suited at T. He is a great run blocker but must improve pass blocking and stay more consistent.
Early 2nd Round

3. Leander Jordan   Indiana (PA)     6’4” 330lbs   5.35
Good athlete and is a solid run blocker and pass blocker. Dominated his small school opponents and is the top small school lineman. He has a great work ethic to match all this.
Mid to Late 2nd Round

4. Manuia Savea   Arizona     6’2” 295lbs   5.0
Played Tackle in collage, but better suited to a Guard. Great footwork and excellent speed. He is an excellent rush blocker and has excellent strength to push Defensive Lineman out of the way.
Early to Mid 3rd Round

5. Ryan Johanningmeier   Colorado     6’6” 310lbs   5.2
Started ever since his freshman year. He has great athleticism to play at Center, Tackle or his preferred position, Guard and has started at every position. This could be a positive for NFL teams to mold him into their preferred position.
Late 3rd Round


TOP 3 CENTERS

1. John St. Clair   Virginia     6’5” 295lbs   5.2
In high school played Tight End and Defensive Tackle. Moved to Center as a sophomore after starting eight games as a backup Tight End. Athletic, Agile, good size, Strong and Intelligent. Exells in pass protection.
Mid 2nd Round

2. Rob Riti   Missouri     6’2” 285lbs   5.2
Also a wrestler and track runner in high school. Moved to Center in his freshman year after playing in the Defensive line. Tough, strong, agile and Intelligent. Great run and pass blocker. A Leader.
Mid 4th Round

3. John Romero   California     6’4” 330lbs
Another Center that used to play in the Defensive line, is very raw and needs good coaching. Is extremely strong and did a decent job last year.
Late 4th Early 5th Round

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