North Carolina State Wolfpack
Junior wide out Jerricho Cotchery
has the chance to stick out from the rest of the crowd if he
takes his game to
the next level. Sure-handed and consistent, Cotchery has solid receiver
size and natural skills to make plays over the middle, out to the flanks and
even down the field on occasion. He is a very active target and offers a
good degree of upside potential. Many like quarterback Philip Rivers
and while we think he is a terrific collegiate signal caller, we do not necessarily
feel the junior projects all that well to the next level. Rivers is a
heady pocket passer also effective on the move, displaying great
awareness and concentration at all times. Though he has adequate
size his mechanics are terrible as he throws the ball with a three-quarters/side-arm/short-arm
motion which saps his passes of velocity and zip. His accuracy also
suffers because of this, an element that must be ironed out before he will be
considered a talent for the NFL. Tackle Scott Kooistra is another
productive collegian with some potential at the next level, more than likely as
a free agent guard.
Most of the draft eligible players on defense
are of the free agent variety. Linebacker Dante Burnette is best defending
the run and moving in a straight line. That combination coupled with less
than desirable size/speed numbers will likely leave him undrafted. Terrance Holt
has made his mark as a devastating special teams player, something that must
carry over at the next level. Though a heady centerfielder that reads and anticipates
the action, Holt lacks speed and explosion, lateral range with only mediocre pass
cover skills. Strong safety/rover Julius Patterson displays tenacity and a
head for the ball but is a little shy in both body size and pass defense abilities.