Post by scorpion42 on Mar 20, 2009 13:39:48 GMT -7
NFL draft: top five fullbacks
By Russ Lande - SportingNews Mar 19, 7:56 pm EDT
There isn’t a fullback prospect who will be taken in the 2009 NFL Draft’s first round, but a few have the potential to become starters. Unlike recent drafts in which the top fullbacks are large running backs, the 2009 class is made up almost exclusively of college fullbacks.
Most players in this group will be drafted lower than they are ranked because fullback isn’t a position teams will spend on a high pick.
For an in-depth look at prospects for the 2009 NFL Draft, order a copy of Sporting News’ 2009 NFL Draft Guide.
Russ Lande and his team of former NFL scouts for SN’s Pro Football War Room take a quick look at the top draft prospects at fullback:
1.Tony Fiammetta, Syracuse (6-0 1/4, 242)
Fiammetta is not well known because he played on a bad Syracuse team, but he is the best fullback prospect. He needs to work on blocking with more leverage but has the size, strength and competitiveness to be a dominant blocker.
Fiammetta is a strong ball carrier who consistently gains yards after contact but will not be an effective short-yardage runner until he learns to run with a lower pad level.
He should start early in his career. If he can learn to get lower while running and blocking, Fiammetta could become an elite NFL fullback.
Draft projection: 3rd round
2. Quinn Johnson, LSU (6-0 3/4, 246)
Johnson is a strong fullback who makes scouts think the offense has another guard blocking on the play. He’ll never be an impact player with the ball in his hands, but his talent and strength as a blocker are what will entice NFL teams.
Draft projection: 5th round
3. Brannan Southerland, Georgia (6-0, 242)
Southerland is coming off a second surgery in two years to repair a broken left foot. He got healthy and played well down the stretch and passed medical exams at the NFL Scouting Combine. He is a tough, hard-nosed fullback who could become a solid NFL starter, but he must improve his lead blocking to be anything more than a backup.
Draft projection: 6th round
4. Chris Pressley, Wisconsin (6-1, 259)
Pressley is the type of player that punishes defenders. He uses his massive frame to open holes for his running back and has shown skills to protect his quarterback when asked to pass block. He is not going to be a running threat in the NFL, so his best fit is with a team that has an elite running back, where he’ll be asked to do what he does best—open holes and stand up defenders.
Draft projection: 7th round
5. Rodney Ferguson, New Mexico (5-11 1/4, 238)
Ferguson was a productive tailback in college, but to make it in the NFL he must either improve his speed or move to fullback. He simply does not have enough speed right now to be an effective every-down back. He could be an asset in short-yardage and goal-line situations and make a splash as a four-phase special teams player.
Draft projection: 7th round
For more than 450 in-depth player scouting reports and updated Combine and pro day data, go to warroom.sportingnews.com.
By Russ Lande - SportingNews Mar 19, 7:56 pm EDT
There isn’t a fullback prospect who will be taken in the 2009 NFL Draft’s first round, but a few have the potential to become starters. Unlike recent drafts in which the top fullbacks are large running backs, the 2009 class is made up almost exclusively of college fullbacks.
Most players in this group will be drafted lower than they are ranked because fullback isn’t a position teams will spend on a high pick.
For an in-depth look at prospects for the 2009 NFL Draft, order a copy of Sporting News’ 2009 NFL Draft Guide.
Russ Lande and his team of former NFL scouts for SN’s Pro Football War Room take a quick look at the top draft prospects at fullback:
1.Tony Fiammetta, Syracuse (6-0 1/4, 242)
Fiammetta is not well known because he played on a bad Syracuse team, but he is the best fullback prospect. He needs to work on blocking with more leverage but has the size, strength and competitiveness to be a dominant blocker.
Fiammetta is a strong ball carrier who consistently gains yards after contact but will not be an effective short-yardage runner until he learns to run with a lower pad level.
He should start early in his career. If he can learn to get lower while running and blocking, Fiammetta could become an elite NFL fullback.
Draft projection: 3rd round
2. Quinn Johnson, LSU (6-0 3/4, 246)
Johnson is a strong fullback who makes scouts think the offense has another guard blocking on the play. He’ll never be an impact player with the ball in his hands, but his talent and strength as a blocker are what will entice NFL teams.
Draft projection: 5th round
3. Brannan Southerland, Georgia (6-0, 242)
Southerland is coming off a second surgery in two years to repair a broken left foot. He got healthy and played well down the stretch and passed medical exams at the NFL Scouting Combine. He is a tough, hard-nosed fullback who could become a solid NFL starter, but he must improve his lead blocking to be anything more than a backup.
Draft projection: 6th round
4. Chris Pressley, Wisconsin (6-1, 259)
Pressley is the type of player that punishes defenders. He uses his massive frame to open holes for his running back and has shown skills to protect his quarterback when asked to pass block. He is not going to be a running threat in the NFL, so his best fit is with a team that has an elite running back, where he’ll be asked to do what he does best—open holes and stand up defenders.
Draft projection: 7th round
5. Rodney Ferguson, New Mexico (5-11 1/4, 238)
Ferguson was a productive tailback in college, but to make it in the NFL he must either improve his speed or move to fullback. He simply does not have enough speed right now to be an effective every-down back. He could be an asset in short-yardage and goal-line situations and make a splash as a four-phase special teams player.
Draft projection: 7th round
For more than 450 in-depth player scouting reports and updated Combine and pro day data, go to warroom.sportingnews.com.