Offensive Line  - It is hard for rookie offensive lineman to start right away in the NAFL because of the complexity of the offensive scheming, that did not stop certain talents from appearing. The first lineman taken was by the Tennessee Titans with pick number 6. Darren Wall, who was the greatest prospect, really lost a lot of his luster during training camp. Wall will be a very good tackle, but nearly the talent many expected him to become. The next lineman talent was Guard, Mack Hindman, by the Miami Dolphins. Hindman has seen limited action so far throughout the season, he hasn’t been exceptional especially

when it comes to run

blocking, but he has

shown flashes. Jamie

Codina, a center, was

taken next with pick

number 22 by the

Seattle Seahawks.

Codina has been

excellent in the playing

 time he has seen and has been amazing at run blocking and hasn’t allowed a single sack, unfortunately the Seahawks have 2 other viable young centers so expect a lot of changes during training camp. The Packers then took Gerald VanEck , who has started since the beginning of the season. He has allowed 4 sacks already, but has been very good on run blocking, by next year he will be a premier tackle in the NAFL. The Broncos took Guard Freddie Back, who has started at right guard since the beginning of the season. Back has done great at pass blocking and marginal at run blocking which is his biggest weakness. With the last pick in the first round the Chiacgo Bears drafted Dave Jacke, who fell down the draft charts because of certain off-field issues, but has been a straight arrow since joining the Bears Organization. Jacke is extremely raw with a hugee upside, and has seen almost no playing time but shown develop into a great left Tackle.

The big surprise of the offensive lineman is right tackle Bryant Batista, who some scouts say will be the best tackle of the 2008 draft...selected in the third round! Batista has shown flashes and is needs to develop a lot more, but give it a few more years and this guy is going to be a monster….just in time for a new contract.

 

Kickers / Punters  -  There were a few surprises here because of how early some of these players were taken. The Rams took the best punter in the second round! Punter Ryan McConnell was taken late in the second, but has excelled averaging a littler over 45 yards a punt, and will make a strong run to the Pro Bowl this year. Two picks later the Broncos choose kicker Danny Whitfield, who has been perfect so far making every single kick with a field goal long of 43 yards.

 

Linebackers  -  The 2008 draft was full of linebackers from top to bottom. The first linebacker taken Neal Kelleher by the Falcons. Kelleher is not very developed yet, but has started all 3 games for

the Falcons. He has been average at best, but should retain his starting role

for the rest of the season and beyond. With the next pick the Cardinals took

Marlon Hiscock, who has started 2 games already and has shown great

ability so far. At pick 17, we saw the Texans select Jumbo Zelleweger who

has shown great maturity at the strong side linebacker spot and has been an

impact on the field, he will make a hard run at Defensive Rookie of the Year.

A few picks later, the Steelers selected Adam Scott. Adam Scott has

amazingly started all 3 games, at the quarterback of the defense position, the

middle linebacker and has produced good results.

The biggest disappointment of the draft though, was a linebacker, Chicago

selected Chester Evans, and were not impressed by his ability, which is

why they never offered him a contract making him the only first round pick

this year without a contract.

 

Defensive Lineman  -  The top overall prospect in the 2008 draft was a defensive end. His name is Bernard Banks, and he was selected with the third pick by the Denver Broncos, however he hasn’t lived up to the hype that surrounded him. He has struggled, producing below average numbers...0 sacks and only 8 tackles. It is unlikely that once he is more developed that he won’t be the premier defensive end in the league. The standout so far and top candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year is DT Darrell Nussmeier who was selected 24th and has produced a team second three sacks and has been a big surprise for the Cowboys staff. The Chiefs selected Van Herbert with the ninth pick, who has started all 3 games at RDE, but hasn’t produced anything worth noting. With the next pick Cleveland selected Bernard Hayes, who will be a great DE, who neither excels at anything, but is above average in his game. The Rams then took Austin Trevor with the 15th who has been lackluster at best, some scouts even feel he will never come close to justify the first round pick. Finally, with the 31st overall pick, NFC Defending Champion, Carolina Panthers selected Kearney Leslie. Leslie is not so much the pass rusher that is popular in the NAFL today, but he is a very effective run stopper and will be troublesome to opponent running backs.

 

Secondary  -  The San Diego Chargers took the top cornerback with their number 7 pick, Cory Felin. Felin has a nose for the ball and will be an interception machine once he gets some more playing time. As of week 3 Felin has played very little time, probably because of how unpolished he is. The Rams took CB Leon Wright a few picks later, Wright has started all 3 games and has held his own against some top WRs, he will eventually take over the number 1 spot once Donnie Abraham retires. The Bills drafted Glen Mueller with their number 16 pick, Mueller has exceptional skill at bump and run. Unfortunately for opposing WR he hits like a safety. So far he has started one game and has pulled off an interception. Oakland took Jon Lynn, the first safety taken in the 2008 draft who has shown extreme poise. Lynn has compiled 17 tackles in just 3 games and is another player we feel will make a strong case for Defensive Rookie of the Year. The last secondary member taken in the first round was safety Trent Huffman who has only started 1 game, but has been serviceable so far, recording 9 tackles.

It will be interesting to see exactly what Seattle does with Jamie Codina. They have two capable starters already in Trent Hartman and Larry Turner. All three are young, slightly developed, and have a great upside.

Adam Scott has shown great leadership skills and amazing talent at the middle linebacker position.

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