[EmpireWF]

I plan on doing profiles of the top NFL Draft prospects in the next couple of weeks. With the bowls ready to kick off soon, you should keep your eye out for these players and see how well (or bad) they do. Remember, the combine is still a few months away but the play during the bowls can help start getting people to talk about a player.

First up, one of the best offensive lineman in the country. Wisconsin's brute left-tackle, Joe Thomas.

Class: Senior
Hgt/Wgt: 6'8, 310
40-Time: 5.00
Projection in Draft: Top 3 Pick

Positives: (GreatBlueNorth)..."Good athlete who has played TE and DT at Wisconsin; in fact hurt his knee filling in on the depleted Badgers’ defensive front last January; Thomas was also a national level discus and javelin thrower. Thomas is a prototype LT prospect with long arms and very athletic feet; text book pass blocker who plays with a wide base, gets great arm extension and easily slides around the pocket; very agile for a player that size with good change of direction; not a dominating run blocker but is more of a seal-off blocker; has a decent first step off the snap although he will come off the snap too high on occasion; gets good angles; has good strong upper body strength and locks onto defender until the whistle....Character player who is a good student."

Negatives: (NFLDraftCountdown)..."Is only one year removed from a major knee injury...Is not always as aggressive as you'd prefer and could show more of a killer instinct...Needs to get stronger, especially in the lower-body, and develop physically...Struggles a bit with power and the bull rush."


Most people love the kid and what he can transfer to as far as the pro game goes. He can play either tackle spot so whether he's blocking for a guy like Leinart (right tackle) or a right-handed QB (left tackle), he's expected to do well. Most mock drafts at this (very) early point have him going to the Arizona Cardinals in the Top 3 this Apri.

[domer747]

Yeah this guy is so good, Mel Kiper listed him in his top 5 for the Heisman Trophy! Kiper says he might be one of the only people who can challenge Quinn for the top spot in the upcoming NFL Draft....