NFL Draft Preview
April 21, 2010 02:32 PM | General
April 21, 2010
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Now three weeks into April and the professional sports world is booming with NBA and NHL playoffs, but college and pro football fans – along with many other sports fans – will be shifting their focus to one of the bigger events at this time of the year, the NFL Draft.
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| Alric Arnett | Jarrett Brown | Selvish Capers |
The three-day event, held in Radio City Music Hall in New York, commences on Thursday, April 22, at 7:30 p.m. and will feature the first round selections. Rounds two and three will be held on Friday, beginning at 6 p.m., and rounds four through seven will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday. ESPN and the NFL Network will each broadcast the draft.
Last year, West Virginia fans watched three of their own get selected by professional franchises. Pat White was the first WVU player called in the draft as the Miami Dolphins took him with the 12th pick in the second round. Ellis Lankster was taken by the Buffalo Bills and the Super Bowl runner-up Indianapolis Colts grabbed Pat McAfee in the seventh round.
This year, the three Mountaineers waiting to see where fate will take them are Selvish Capers, Jarrett Brown and Alric Arnett.
Although there are nearly as many mock drafts as there are NFL players, the common consensus has Capers being the first Mountaineer selected anywhere from the second to fourth rounds. According to these same mock drafts, Brown will be selected between the fourth and fifth round, and Arnett likely going in the final round.
Checking in at 6-foot-5, 308 pounds, Capers is listed as the ninth-best offensive tackle by ESPN, 10th best by College Football Insiders and is ranked No. 12 by CBSsports.com. With one publication tabbing Capers as a borderline first-round selection, there was much positive feedback about the Kenner, La., native.
Critics and draft experts said Capers possesses good height and bulk and has great body control and balance for a person at his position. He also was commended for having a quick first step, taking advantage of his long arms in pass protection and adjusting to line stunts. Others noted Capers for having great footwork, being physical during run-blocking and possessing enough strength to push defensive ends around the pocket on draws and quarterback sneaks.
The next in line many believe will be Brown. Although some scouts were a bit discouraged because he didn’t play the second half in the team’s bowl game, the West Palm Beach, Fla., native impressed at the draft combine. Listed at 6-foot-3, 224 pounds, he finished first among quarterbacks in the 40-yard dash, 60-yard shuttle and vertical and broad jumps.
Although he seems to be one of the lesser talked about QBs in the draft, writers and scouts never minced words regarding Brown. Late last week, Scouts Inc. released its rankings based on skill set for the quarterback position. Brown was tabbed first in release (ahead of Sam Bradford), second in arm strength and third in mobility. Scouts and writers described Brown as having a “rocket arm,” tremendous physical skills and an unmatched work ethic. What makes Brown special is not only his size (height and bulk), but his ability to make NFL throws, fit passes into tight spaces, and if needed, make runs downfield as though he were a power back, welcoming contact.
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| Jarrett Brown is considered one of the more intruiging players in this year's draft class.
All-Pro Photography/Dale Sparks photo |
In a video produced by FoxSports.com earlier this spring, former Super Bowl-winning NFL coach and current NFL on Fox commentator Brian Billick said that Brown is “an intriguing athlete.” Billick described Brown as someone who has all the measurables – a big, strong athlete with a good arm and the ability to carry the ball. Drew Stanton, now in his fourth year in the NFL, said Brown's athleticism jumps out at you. He described the former WVU slinger as having arm strength as good as anyone he's ever seen.
Mel Kiper, Jr. recently had a mock draft with Brown going in the fourth round (120th pick) to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Rounding out the trio is Arnett, who is consistently cited for his track-like speed. The Belle Glade, Fla., native is listed at 6-foot-1, 191 pounds. Most publications list Arnett around the 30s in regards to position rank.
In addition to being recognized for having good hands and a terrific ability for making circus and one-handed catches seem effortless, he was commended for having enough confidence to go over the middle of the field despite his lanky frame. If not jammed off the line, it seemed to be agreed upon that he possesses the ability to get open, especially down the field. Another Mountaineer with a tremendous work ethic, scouts were impressed with his knack for tracking down balls that were seemingly thrown beyond his reach or overthrown. With tremendous agility, teams seemed to take notice of Arnett’s exceptional leaping ability (40” vertical).
Based on the positive feedback and comments from scouts, these athletes are certainly anxious to see what fate holds and what opportunities await. Now the waiting is over.
With the numerous years of hard work each has put in, the time has finally come when they can prove themselves on the next big stage – the National Football League.
