2005 NFL Draft Preview
April 22, 2005 11:52 AM | General
April 22, 2005
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Although NFL executives are pretty tight-lipped about their intentions concerning the NFL draft, West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez has talked to enough of them to know several of his former players have a chance of being picked when the draft starts tomorrow at noon in New York City.
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| West Virginia's four amigos posing for a picture at last Saturday's spring game: Mike Watson, Rasheed Marshall, Pacman Jones and Kay-Jay Harris.
All-Pro Photography/Dale Sparks |
“I’m excited for all of our guys,” said Rodriguez. “I hope they all get an opportunity because it’s a dream for them. Realistically if you had three or four of them make a squad that’s a large amount.”
Since Rodriguez inherited the West Virginia program from Don Nehlen prior to the 2001 season, the most players he has had taken in a single year was two in 2003 (Lance Nimmo and James Davis).
The most Mountaineer players to go since the draft was paired to seven rounds were six taken in 1999. The most picked in a single year was eight in 1989 when there were 12 rounds.
Some experts estimate as many as five players could be selected on either Saturday or Sunday.
The first WVU player to be picked will be cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones, who rates as a top 10 prospect by most draft experts. Several mock drafts have Jones, who plans on watching the draft with his family in Atlanta, going to either Arizona at No. 8 or Washington at No. 9.
If Jones goes that high, he will be the first Mountaineer player since tight end Anthony Becht in 2000 to be taken in the first round and the first top-10 pick since offensive Brian Jozwiak was the seventh overall selection by the Kansas City Chiefs in 1986. Seven West Virginia players have gone in the first round since the draft began in 1936.
“I think Pacman when we recruited him he wasn’t really an unknown but he was a high school wing back and outside linebacker and sometimes defensive end,” said Rodriguez. “He never played corner so I think he’s really come a long way not only physically but also maturity wise. I think there is no question that everyone is projecting him to be a high first-rounder and being an instant impact player for somebody.”
Wide receiver Chris Henry has drawn raves for his size, athletic ability and speed and will probably go on the first day. However, an ejection from the Rutgers game and a team-imposed suspension prior to last year’s Pitt game have some teams concerned. Henry, like Jones, is leaving school a year early.
“Chris Henry has the skills to play in the NFL,” Rodriguez said. “It’s obvious there are other aspects to his game from a maturity standpoint that he’s got to develop in order to handle the rigors of being a professional athlete. But if he’s surrounded by the right people and he gets into the right organization with a good plan for him I think Chris can have a very good NFL career.
“Even though we had some issues and I had to enforce some discipline on him I’m rooting for him as I am for all of our guys. I think he will get drafted and I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t go by at least the third round,” Rodriguez noted.
Running back Kay-Jay Harris had an impressive performance in the Gator Bowl against Florida State and also ran for a school-record 337 yards in the season opener against East Carolina. The 6-foot-1-inch, 240-pound running back was invited to the Senior Bowl and has tested well enough in workouts to be selected, although his durability is a big question with some scouts. Harris carried the football just 231 times in two seasons at West Virginia.
“In just the conversations we’ve heard from pro scouts Kay-Jay Harris has a chance to get drafted probably in the middle to late rounds,” Rodriguez said. “He’s a talented guy that has been a little bit injured and a little bit nicked up but if he can stay healthy he can make somebody’s squad. I think he’s got all of the tools to do it -- he’s just got to stay healthy and have a little luck and get into the right situation.”
Rasheed Marshall was the Big East player of the year as a quarterback, but the pros are more interested in him playing wide receiver. Marshall boasts tremendous athletic ability and Rodriguez is certain his former signal-caller can make the switch.
“The guy I know that everybody over here is rooting especially hard for is Rasheed Marshall,” said Rodriguez. “I don’t know if he’ll get drafted because people wonder about playing a different position but I think he has the skills. He certainly has the work ethic, the character and the mental ability to play another position. I personally feel he’s going to make somebody’s team and have a productive NFL career.”
Offensive tackle Mike Watson has climbed up on some team’s draft boards and has a shot of being drafted, as well as center Tim Brown. Others who could be in the mix as free agent signees include defensive tackle Ben Lynch, linebacker Adam Lehnortt, offensive guard Jeff Berk, defensive end Jason Hardee, and wide receiver Eddie Jackson.
“I think Tim Brown has an excellent chance, if not being drafted, of signing as a free agent. The same for Mike Watson as well,” said Rodriguez.
