QB Ricky Stanzi DOWN

I want to see what he does in the game before I really knock him down because he is someone I liked more than most coming into this week, but he hasn’t looked good in practice. He threw several picks today. He checks down way too much. One of his picks was so horrible a coach told him “if you throw that, that’s going to get picked every time” and I have to agree with him.

QB Jake Locker DOWN

Again holding major judgment until the game, but he’s struggled in practice mightily. If he doesn’t perform this Saturday, all the blame will be on him, not his supporting cast, as was the case at Washington.

QB Colin Kaepernick UP

I know the other two haven’t been very good, but Kaepernick seems like the best North quarterback at this point. He’s a project, but he could be well worth it. He’s being called Cam Newton of the West and if someone takes a chance on Newton in the 1^st/2^nd range, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if someone took a chance on Kaepernick in the 3^rd/4^th round range.

RB Roy Helu Jr. UP

Again, tough to tell with running backs without pads and full tackle, but he looks good and he’s made some nice pass catches. He’s one of those guys who makes this list because he’s had a solid overall week and not because he particuarly stood out just today. Intrigued to see more Saturday.

WR Greg Salas DOWN

Impressed me earlier this week, much to my surprise, but had a few bad drops today.

TE Lance Kendricks UP

His hands as a short to intermediate option are very impressive. The ball doesn’t make a sound when it hits them and he’s got good speed as well. He’s small, but bigger, more productive, and all around more impressive than DJ Williams. I think it’s between him and Luke Stocker for the #2 tight end spot behind underclassman Kyle Rudolph. I give Kendricks the slight edge at this point.

OT James Carpenter DOWN

Impressed me earlier this week, but was atricious today. I don’t think he won a single one on one.

OT Derek Sherrod DOWN

I’m not seeing a first rounder in him. I know he’s got good upside, but he’s getting beat too often. Had one extremely ugly play where his quarterback would have gotten murdered if Sherrod was left alone on a man (Acho). He’s the OL version of Bailey, athleticism, but not much else. He’s a 2^nd rounder in my book now.

G John Moffitt DOWN

Worked out as a center and let’s just say it didn’t work out. He belongs at guard.

G Danny Watkins UP

Single most impressive offensive lineman this week for the South. 4 fantasic days. Can’t wait to watch him on Saturday. He’s 26, but he hasn’t played a lot of football so what he’s doing now is really impressive. He’s not going to have the 12+ year career you’d like out of a 2nd round guy, but he can improve still.

C Kristofer O’Dowd DOWN

Nothing new here. Still sucks. Having a terrible week. He can’t play one on one against bigger guys and he’s not very athletic either. His technique is a lot worse this week that it was on tape. I don’t know what’s going on.

C Kevin Kowalski DOWN

Doesn’t seem very athletic. He’s not doing well in one on ones this week. Undersized, slow, and doesn’t have the technique to make up for it.

 

DE Sam Acho UP

Very quick today and looked like an extremely fluid athlete in every defensive line drill. He’s undersized, so I’m interested in seeing how he does with his hand on the ground in full game action Saturday. I think he is athlete enough to play the 3-4, but he needs to prove he can play a 4-3. If he can do that, his stock could be in the 2^nd round range. If not, he’s a 3^rd or a 4^th.

DE Brooks Reed UP

Impressive again, motor never shuts off and that makes up for his lack of size. Quick, fiesty, and annoying (in a good way). He’s going to tire O-Lineman out.

DE Pernell McPhee UP

Lost all the weight he put on this season and it’s paid off. He’s having a good week. If he can stay in shape for the Combine and his Pro Day, and not having any more major weight fluxes, he could sneak into day 2.

DT Cedric Thornton DOWN

Getting dominated in one on ones all week. He didn’t look very fluid in technique drills. This small school kid needed a good week to get drafted before the first 5 rounds. He hasn’t done that.

DT Stephen Paea DOWN

Hurt his knee Monday and will have it scoped. He is supposed to be ready for The Combine, but you never know. He’ll have to prove his health at The Combine if he wants to move back up. He might slip into the 2^nd round now.

DT Ian Williams UP

There wasn’t a lot of one on ones between the offensive and defensive linemen today, but Williams was someone who stood out. He’s quietly having a good week. He can play the 3-4 nose as well as a 4-3 as a defensive tackle. He’s a run stopper with adequate pass rush. Good size at 6-1 3/8 311.

DT Sione Fua UP

Another guy who continued his impressive week today. A lot more mobile than you’d expect at his size and a smart kid with good technique. Could sneak into the 3^rd round as a nose tackle, but can also play the 4-3 as a defensive tackle.

NT Phil Taylor UP

Looked like a 265 pound end in the fluidity and technique drills and then went out and dominated one on one with great size and adaquate pass rushing moves. Very impressed with this kid. He’s my #1 nose tackle over Jerrell Powe if he plays well Saturday. He looks like an early-mid 2^nd rounder.

MLB Casey Matthews UP

Continuing to be impressive. Had a nice goal line pick and has flashed good ability in coverage all week. He’s quietly become a 2^nd rounder in my book and having one of the better weeks this week.

CB Kendric Burney UP

Not very big, not very fast, but when you play like he does, who cares. 5-9 184 with a 40 in the 4.5s likely, but he had two picks today, one of which was a very impressive end zone pick, he got his hands on two other balls, making excellent late, quick, breaks on the ball. He’s sneaky quick which might actually be more dangerous than flat out fast and athleticism. He was on Titus Young all day and locked up everyone’s favorite receiver with the exception on one excellent back shoulder throw in the end zone where Burney didn’t have a chance.

CB Curtis Brown UP

Had a good day in coverage. Seems athletic, fluid, made some nice plays like week. Impressive week.

S Quinton Carter DOWN

A good kid with his own non-profit, but not very fluid or instinctual in coverage. Might be just a strong safety or even a tweener.