Kiper: McFadden not quite Peterson
By D. Orlando Ledbetter | Thursday, February 21, 2008, 05:16 PM
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. is getting his vocal cords in shape for his big day on April 26.
Earlier this week, he took calls for an hour and half from scribes from across the country, prepping them on what to watch for at the NFL Combine.
“I think this draft will be good at certain spots,” Kiper said. “Quarterback is going to be pretty deep. Offensive tackle is very good. Cornerback I think is very good. Running back is OK. Wide receiver is OK. Defensive back is OK. Linebacker is just average, and safety is not really good.”
LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey, Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan, Virginia defensive lineman Chris Long, Arkansas running back Darren McFadden, Michigan offensive lineman Jake Long and Southern Cal defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis are the top players in the draft.
“In terms of the elite, those six guys are a little bit of a cut above the rest,” Kiper said.
If the Falcons elect to address the quarterback position later in the draft, McFadden looks like a keeper after Chris Long and Glenn Dorsey go to Miami and St. Louis respectively. Of course Friday morning’s coin toss will determine their spot — third, fourth or fifth.
“The only question that I have is that he had some fumbling issues this year,” Kiper said about McFadden. “There were times as a kickoff returner and a running back that he put it on the ground. Ball security is critical in the NFL.”
Kiper doesn’t believe McFadden can have the same type of instant impact that Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson had last season.
“He’s not the violent, aggressive runner that Adrian Peterson is,” Kiper said. “Not many running backs are. To me, he’s not the tackle breaker. That’s not his forte. But he’s certainly worthy of being a top-five pick.”
The Falcons will have to address the quarterback position, and this is a good year to go mining for one in the later rounds.
“There are going to be at least 12 quarterbacks who have chance to be starting quarterbacks at some point in their careers,” Kiper said.
Some of the prospects include San Diego’s Josh Johnson, Delaware’s Joe Flacco, Michigan’s Chad Henne, Tennessee’s Erik Ainge and Colorado State’s Caleb Hanie.
Kentucky’s Andre’ Woodson, once considered a first-rounder, may slip into the second.
“That delivery is going to cause concern,” Kiper said. “He’s in that second- or third-round mix.”
Louisville’s Brian Brohm’s stock has also dropped as Kiper believes that Ryan is the lone quarterback worthy of a first-round pick.