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College Player of the Week – Michigan’s runner Mike Hart

Michigan’s Mike Hart earned the College Player of the Week award for his outstanding performance vs Penn St. He rushed for 153 tough yards on 44 carries, and clinched the Michigan victory with a 1 yard TD plunge in the 4th quarter. Penn St. entered the game as a top 10 club.

Mike Hart’s Scouting Report in Draft Insiders’ ’07 Preview – Sept ‘07

Mike Hart - 5’9� 205 lbs. - Michigan
Physical senior tailback returns for his final season after an excellent junior season. He exploded as a junior with over 300 carries in the tough Big Ten. He is a low based runner who brings outstanding strength and power to the inside game with the quickness to get to the outside. He is explosive runner through the hole and the power to break tackles consistently. With an encore performance in ’07, he could rank with the upper echelon of runners and top senior feature back. He needs to show further development as a receiver and blocker, in addition to displaying once again the game to game durability and consistency to be a pro feature runner. He has overcome a thigh injury sustained vs Oregon in the 2nd game of the season.

College Player of Week - Kentucky QB Andre' Woodson

Quarterback André Woodson has been selected as the College National Player of the Week by Draft Insiders.com, in addition to the SEC Offensive Player of the Week for his play in Saturday’s 40-34 win over Louisville. He beat out Florida' QB Tim Tebow and running backs Arkansas' Darren McFadden and Wisconsin's P.J. Hill in the balloting.

Andre' Woodson completed 30 of 44 passes for 275 yards and 4 TDs, including the game-winning 57-yard TD to wide receiver Steve Johnson with only 28 seconds remaining. Woodson extended his streak of consecutive passes without interception to 257, breaking the SEC record of 214 consecutive throws without a pick by Georgia’s David Greene.

John Sachau
College Player of Week - Sooners’ QB Sam Bradford

The first college Player of the Week award by Draft Insiders.com goes to Oklahoma freshman QB Sam Bradford for his outstanding performance vs Miami. Bradford threw a school record tying 5 TD passes in leading the Sooners to a 51-13 thrashing of Miami. It was only his second career start and in the process, he helped erase some of the ghosts from the three huge losses sustained by Oklahoma at the hands of Miami during the ‘80s that all had national title implication. Bradford tossed three 3 of the TDs to junior sensation wideout Malcolm Kelly who toasted the Miami secondary throughout the game. Miami suffered its most lopsided loss since Nov, 1998.

NFL '07 Predictions
Draft Insiders’ Digest ’07 NFL Predictions
DraftInsiders.com 17th Season

NFC

EAST
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES - 10-6 - Good enough to win here again.
NEW YORK GIANTS - 8-8 - Eli holds the key to playoff run.
DALLAS COWBOYS - 8-8 - Phillips hoping to take this club back to playoffs.
WASHINGTON REDSKINS - 6-10 - Gibbs has his car running to get back to Nascar.

NORTH
CHICAGO BEARS - 11-5 - Club clearly the class in this division.
GREEN BAY PACKERS - 8-8 - Favre hopes to make playoff run in his finale.

The San Francisco 49ers have been rated the #1 team for the NFL Draft '07 by both Draft Insiders' Review '07 and the fans who voted in our web site poll. The 49ers are a dangerous club this season with a young nucleus that features QB Alex Smith, runner and tight Vernon Davis plus an emerging defense that is ready to come together as a unit.

Below is the S.F. 49ers team evaluation for the just completed Draft Review '07

San Francisco 49ers - Head Coach – Mike Nolan – 3rd Year
The 49ers had an exceptional draft class that could eventually rival a few of their great classes of the ‘80s. They added talent at key areas of need that should help them improve further this season and possibly win a playoff berth. On the first round, they jumped on LB Patrick Willis and see him as an impact defender and leader on their young defense. Willis is probably one of the best defensive athletes in this class behind only Okoye, Landry and Adams. He has rare athleticism and can be a difference maker here and should start on the inside immediately. He can be a major boost to the 49ers defense similar to what Brian Urlacher and Ray Lewis did for their clubs. They added OT Joe Staley in the first round after a trade up with the Patriots. He is a fine athlete who can play on the outside at left tackle or inside at guard. They see him as their left tackle for a long time and it was a good move to deal up to select him. He would have to win time at guard this season to see playing time. On the 3rd round, they added wideout/returner Jason Hill and DL Ray McDonald. Hill was a fine addition late in the first day. He should compete for the starting time as the slot receiver and eventually start. McDonald is a fine defender who fits best at end in their 3-4 scheme. He can also move inside to tackle in passing situations and is a key flexible lineman that this scheme needs to succeed. On the 4th round, they chose DE/LB Jay Moore, safety Dashon Goldson and DT Joe Cohen. Moore is a sound defender with good AA and a fine motor. He figures to start in time at end in their scheme. He figures in both their line rotation and playing up this fall. Godson is a raw athlete with the ability to compete for a few spots in the secondary. He can play the corner in a cover 2 scheme or move to safety. He is a big athlete who should be a factor on special teams. Cohen is an experienced lineman on the inside who will get a look at nose tackle. He was a major reach this early. On the 5th round, they chose CB Tarell Brown, a talented cover man with several off the field problems. He was a fine addition here and capable of winning the nickel corner role as a rookie. He can be a major steal here if he matures and plays up to his athleticism. He may be the biggest boom or bust prospect in the class, but a fine late gamble that could produce major dividends. With their 6th round selection, they chose RB Thomas Clayton, a powerful tailback with some off the field issues. He was a good late gamble and can win a backup role in this offense with little depth. Grade: A

NFL Draft ’07 mini Review

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Sample mini Review - AFC North

AFC
North

Baltimore Ravens - Grade B+

The Ravens had another strong draft class and were able to address their offensive line and key need areas. On the 1st round, they chose guard Ben Grubbs, a highly developed blocker who should starter immediately at right guard. He is a physical blocker with good footwork and the ability to anchor inside or move and block on the perimeter. He is a strong mobile athlete who graded out high vs top competition in the tough SEC. On the 2nd round, they moved back in a trade with the Lions and held two 3rd round selections and chose WR Yamon Figurs and OL Marshal Yanda. Figurs is a speedster with big play ability as a receiver and return specialist. He has the rare suddenness to be a factor immediately in the return game and as a slot receiver. He is a top role performer and can provide impact in those roles early in his career and was a fine addition. They chose OL Yanda later on the round and he carries a stating grade at both tackle and guard. He is a sound technician and has the toughness and intangibles to have a long NFL career. On the 4th round, they added LB Antwan Barnes and FB LeRon McClain. Barnes is a fast edge rusher and a fine tweener defender for the situational pass rushing role. He figures to play in passing situations and can become a fine role defender with development. McClain fills a pressing need on this offense after FA losses. With their 5th round pick, they added QB Troy Smith, the ’06 Heisman Trophy winner. He is a savvy player who has produced vs a high level of competition and proven to be a winner with the AA and toughness to succeed. He has a good chance to win the #3 job in camp. With their 6th round pick, they drafted LB Prescott Burgess, a rangy defender who had a productive college career. He can compete for the nickel backer role early in his career and carries a possible starting grade in the right scheme. He should be a solid special teams performer early as a pro.

Top 100 NFL Prospects NFL Draft ’07
April 25th * underclassmen

Update '07 Online Draft Report has the Top 175 Pro Prospects

Final Value Board

1 * Calvin Johnson WR Georgia Tech
2. Joe Thomas OT Wisconsin
3 * Adrian Peterson RB Oklahoma
4. LaRon Landry FS LSU
5. * JaMarcus Russell QB LSU
6. Brady Quinn QB Notre Dame
7. Gaines Adams DE Clemson
8. Patrick Willis LB Mississippi
9. Leon Hall CB Michigan