Baseball Nation: All Posts by Asher Feldman

NFL Draft 2013: Montee Ball prospect profile

2013-03-08T11:00:03Z

Wisconsin Badgers running back Montee Ball decided to skip the NFL Draft last season and return to Madison for his senior season. Despite a slow start to the season, Ball's Badgers returned to a third consecutive Rose Bowl after winning the Big Ten.

Along with a trip to the Rose Bowl, Ball set NCAA records for most touchdowns and most career rushing touchdowns. In 2011, Ball also broke the Big Ten record for most touchdowns and equalled the single-season NCAA record for touchdowns with 39.

Ball's collegiate career was hugely successful, but when it comes to the NFL Draft, that doesn't always equal a high draft stock. Sure enough, Ball's stock has not kept up with his massive production with Wisconsin.

Oddly, in Mel Kiper's first go-round in projecting the draft in 2013, Ball placed at No. 21 to the Cincinnati Bengals, but has since fallen off Kiper's board. Where will he land when all is said and done?

Complete 2013 NFL draft coverage at SB Nation

Pros:

Quickness and balance in small holes has allowed Ball to take advantage of very small windows of opportunity and turn them into record-breaking performances with the Badgers. Combine that with some power to spare, Ball pushes past would-be tacklers.
Ball's footwork is exceptional. He also has the patience to read blocking and rushers and then the speed to take advantage of what he sees.

Here's Ball's highlights in a late-season game against the Ohio State Buckeyes, via DraftBreakdown.com:

&#13; Cons: &#13; <ul><li>Ball visibly missed an offensive line that was among the nation's best in 2011, but lost much of its veteran presence in 2012. Without as strong an O-line, Ball's production faltered in 2012. </li>&#13; <li>Wear and tear isn't usually a concern for teams drafting college players, but Ball's been among the most-used players in FBS history. Could he already be on the downslope? </li>&#13; </ul>Quotables:&#13; When Kiper placed Ball in the <a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft2013/story/_/id/8846701/2013-nfl-draft-mel-kiper-first-mock-draft" mce_href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft2013/story/_/id/8846701/2013-nfl-draft-mel-kiper-first-mock-draft">first round of his 1.0 Mock Draft</a>, he admitted to the reach that the Bengals at No. 21 would be making, but highlighted how strong Ball could be in the pros:&#13; <blockquote>&#13; In terms of pure draft value, Ball might be a bit of a reach on my board at this spot, but in terms of fit, it's hard to find a better one among teams drafting in this range. Once fully healthy, Ball showed off a quick burst into and through the hole, and the ability to do major damage on the second level, both making defenders miss and simply running through tackles. ... A "nose for the end zone" is a bit of a throw-away phrase, but Ball truly has it.&#13; </blockquote>&#13; In an article on NFL.com, writer Bucky Brooks said that no matter where Ball is drafted, <a href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000105404/article/montee-ball-will-make-impact-in-nfl-regardless-of-draft-position" mce_href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000105404/article/montee-ball-will-make-impact-in-nfl-regardless-of-draft-position">he's primed to make an impact</a>, despite his falling draft stock:&#13; <blockquote>&#13; The running back position has been devalued in recent years with more NFL teams moving toward pass-first game plans, but the workhorse runner is still coveted by most teams across the league. In looking at Ball's size, skills and production, I believe he has the all-around game to thrive as a feature runner in most offensive schemes.&#13; </blockquote>&#13; On Twitter: &#13; Ball is already verified on Twitter (@M_Ball28) and has a huge following. He's pretty personable on the social network.&#13; <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">&#13; Congrats to all the badgers who joined the UW family today! You will have a great time! Work hard!&#13; — Montee Ball (@M_Ball28) <a href="https://twitter.com/M_Ball28/status/299295529635033088" mce_href="https://twitter.com/M_Ball28/status/299295529635033088">February 6, 2013</a> </blockquote>&#13; &#13; <mce:script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" mce_src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"/>

Chicago Bears team needs: Offensive line among top wants in 2013

2013-03-07T18:30:04Z

After a strong start to the 2012 season, the Chicago Bears ended up missing the playoffs despite a 10-win season. Plenty of blame went around in the days following the end of a disappointing finish to the season, culminating with the firing of coach Lovie Smith.

More: Visit Windy City Gridiron for more on the Bears

With new coach Marc Trestman seemingly situated after replacing Smith, he can now look upon the 2012 campaign as a place to build from in 2013. Last season's edition of the Chicago Bears had plenty to be proud of production-wise, especially in the first half of the year, during which they compiled a 7-1 record after finishing 2011 8-8.

The team ranked near the top of the league in those first eight games in both scoring defense and offense and was seemingly returning turnovers for touchdowns multiple times per game.

But after dropping five of their last eight and scoring fewer than 10 offensive touchdowns in the season's second half, plenty will need to change if the Bears can again improve upon their record next season.

Chicago got a start on its offseason by using the franchise tag to hang onto Henry Melton. That move gives the team a window through July to get the defensive tackle inked to a long-term deal.

Biggest need: Offensive line

The team's strongest internal interest is also a good place to start if the Bears want to make the NFC playoffs next season.

Quarterback Jay Cutler was hurried and hit often in 2012, which resulted in the Bears ranking in the bottom five teams in passing. In four seasons, Cutler has been sacked 148 times, fourth-most in that frame, according to ESPN.

And though some metrics claim that the Bears' offensive line is middling — Football Outsiders ranked the Bears' line 16th out of 32 teams in 2012 — simply middling isn't enough to bring the Bears an elusive playoff bid.

Other needs: Linebacker, tight end

The Bears' offseason could be shaped by the stark reality that Brian Urlacher might not be wearing a Bears uniform come the 2013 preseason. Urlacher is a free agent this year and has expressed some interest in going elsewhere. Injuries have slowed Urlacher, who turns 35 in May, which should push down his value on the open market. Even if the Bears do manage to bring him back, finding a replacement for the cornerstone of their defense is a priority.

The Bears still need to fill more spots on the linebacker depth chart. Nick Roach and Geno Hayes are also free agents this signing period.

Elsewhere around the field, the Bears lacked any real output from the tight end position in 2012. Kellen Davis, Chicago's leading receiver at the spot, hauled in just 19 receptions for 229 yards. If the Bears want to improve their passing game in 2013, acquiring a tight end to pair with a strong wide receiver corps would go a long way. They are expected to make a push for Titans free agent tight end Jared Cook.

NFL Draft outlook: Bears have last lottery pick

At 10-6, the Bears finished with the best record among non-playoff bound teams. For that accomplishment, the Bears received the No. 20 pick in the 2013 draft. With that pick, the Bears could go a variety of different ways, but many seem to point to the Bears filling that top need — at offensive line.

Salary cap situation: Room to maneuver

Using the franchise tag for defensive tackle Henry Melton, a one-year deal worth $8.45 million, takes up much of what cap space the Bears had for the offseason. The team can, and will most certainly have to, restructure some contracts. Defensive end Julius Peppers counts more than $16 million against the cap.

More in the NFL:

• NFL Mock Draft: New names rising in first round

• Uffsides: Von Miller talks with SB Nation

• Ranking the NFL's top offensive free agents

• Joe Flacco and the history of $100 million contracts

• The NFL's disappearing middle class

• NFL news roundup: Roger Goodell terrified, Shawne Merriman retires and the latest on free agency

Buffalo Bills team needs: Room to build next season

2013-03-06T13:30:06Z

After a glimmer of playoff hopes early in the year, the Buffalo Bills fell victim once again to what is now the league's longest playoff drought. With 2013 on the horizon and free agency and the drafting period coming up, the Bills will again head into the homestretch of the offseason looking to end that streak.

More: Visit Buffalo Rumblings for more on the Bills

A victory over the then-hot Arizona Cardinals in Week 6 gave the Bills some hope in making the playoffs in 2012 after a 3-3 start. But a rush defense that ended the season ranked second to last in the league and a passing offense that finished 25th of 32 teams in 2012 did the Bills no favors.

Buffalo would collect additional victories against only division foes the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets to go with a win over the hapless Jacksonville Jaguars by season's end. Only strong performances out of running backs C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson, who did end up missing time because of injury, provided a bright spot for the 6-10 Bills.

When it comes to the team's needs, Brian Galliford of SB Nation's Bills community, Buffalo Ramblings, doesn't hold back — aiming squarely at the passing game and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick:

Buffalo's biggest need has been at the quarterback position since, oh, around 1997, when Hall of Fame signal caller Jim Kelly retired. Unbelievably, the Bills have taken just one quarterback in the first round since they took Kelly in 1983 - that would be the venerable J.P. Losman - and have picked just one quarterback at any point in the past five seasons (2010 seventh-rounder Levi Brown, now out of the league), when their desperation level at the position reached such a fever pitch that they gave a massive contract to Ryan Fitzpatrick. As usual, Buffalo has plenty of needs - but there's no secret about which is the most pressing.

Biggest need: Linebacker

There's plenty of possibilities as far as the Bills' biggest need this coming offseason, but most pressing for a team that ended up giving up the most rushing touchdowns of any team in the league last season will be getting a linebacker capable of stopping the short rush from turning into a gashing, longer one.

Perhaps the Bills could find such a stopper in the draft, say Manti Te'o? But if the draft is not the place to go for the kind of defensive pickup Buffalo so desperately needs, the BIlls would be wise to look elsewhere in a surprisingly deep linebacking free agent market.

Other needs: Quarterback, wide reciever

The Bills offense seemed almost anemic at times in 2012, as quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick fizzled. Fitzpatrick's contract is a tough one to stomach — the team will eat $10 million if they cut him — but perhaps moving past the signal caller might be the best choice at this juncture.

Buffalo could do Fitzpatrick a favor if uninterested in taking that financial hit and get him another target to complement first option Stevie Johnson.

Johnson was the lone bright offensive output the Bills could boast outside of a strong running game, and Johnson's effectiveness could be augmented by another top-flight wideout on the opposite side of the field.

NFL Draft outlook: Bills claim top-10 pick

Buffalo has the luxury of having the No. 8 pick in a nicely balanced draft class. While some of the top-flight quarterbacking talent might not fall all the way to No. 8, perhaps skilled players at the linebacking spot, i.e. Jarvis Jones or Alec Ogletree, would fit nicely at that position.

The Bills might also consider bolstering their offensive line with their first-round pick if they intend to acquire weapons to create a stronger passing game.

Salary cap situation: Money to spend

Buffalo has the luxury of having plenty of space to work with in the 2013 salary cap structure. Already well under the limit, the increase to $121 million in cap this season gives the Bills a comparatively strong position headed into the offseason.

Combine the low hit that rookie contracts now take on the cap with a free agency market full of top talent as teams prepare for the new-found space under the cap and the Bills could be ready to make a big splash this offseason.

More in the NFL:

• NFL Mock Draft: New names rising in first round

• Uffsides: Von Miller talks with SB Nation

• Ranking the NFL's top offensive free agents

• Joe Flacco and the history of $100 million contracts

• The NFL's disappearing middle class

• NFL news roundup: Roger Goodell terrified, Shawne Merriman retires and the latest on free agency

NFL Draft 2013: Andre Ellington prospect profile

2013-03-06T12:00:06Z

Andre Ellington's career with the Clemson Tigers might have started slowly — backing up C.J. Spiller as a redshirt freshman and receiving very little attention — but by the time Ellington completed his final season with the Tigers, he was Clemson's fourth-leading career rusher.

Third in Clemson history in rushing touchdowns, Ellington now turns his attention to the NFL, where he ranks among the top 10 in most pre-draft running back rankings. Ellington was one of only four ACC running backs to eclipse 1,000 yards in 2012, and he pushed past the 1,000-yard mark for a second straight season.

His performance at Clemson these last two seasons has garnered Ellington plenty of attention leading into the draft, and though he is somewhat undersized for his position, Ellington's speed and agility have him preparing to possibly be a second-round pick.

Complete 2013 NFL draft coverage at SB Nation

Pros:

Though he is undersized, Ellington doesn't show much fear when attacking the line in a single-back formation, and uses his speed and agility to dart through specifically small holes that otherwise would slow down larger backs.
Similarly, Ellington has an ability to lower his pads and fight through tackles, but also has useful patience when running behind blockers and examining blocking schemes.
Also a good returner and special teams player.

Here's Ellington's performance against the LSU Tigers in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, via DraftBreakdown.com.

Cons:

Despite effort and drive, Ellington is still somewhat undersized and lacks the needed power to drive through NFL-sized defenders.
Though agile in tight spots, Ellington struggles to fool would-be tacklers in space, and cuts and moves against open-field defenders are somewhat unpredictable and are not consistent.

Quotables:

NFL.com's draft profile lays Ellington's potential out clearly, saying his size is a factor, but his abilities make him well worth an early-round pick:

He has been productive and has shown toughness as an inside runner, but his size and limitations in pass protection will likely leave him as a rotational runner in the NFL. Space players with speed are at a major premium in the NFL, though, and he figures to go in the second round of the draft.

The National Football Post does have some concerns about Ellington's every-down abilities:

I do have concerns about him as an "every down" type back as he lacks ideal power inside, isn't as shifty as you would expect and tends to get tripped up easily through contact.

However, in more of a third down role where you can routinely get him the football in space and ask him to be that big play threat. Ellington certainly has the skill set to be the home run type X-factor for an NFL offense.

On Twitter:

Ellington (@Dre23_LilBit) is enjoyably open on Twitter. Here's a sample Tweet:

I want to thank God for allowing me to celebrate a 24th bday! and its on Super Bowl Sunday. I truly believe I'm made for this game ✨

NFL Draft 2013: Brian Winters prospect profile

2013-03-06T11:00:07Z

Kent State Golden Flashes offensive lineman Brian Winters played left tackle in 2012, and played it well — making the All-MAC. But Winters also spent time at right tackle and right guard while at Kent State, and made All-MAC teams during season when he played those positions — a three-time member all told.

But when the 2013 Senior Bowl came around, Winters spent considerable time playing and training at left guard, which has both opened Winters up to a possible position change at the next level and given teams another look at Winters, who played a tremendous amount of time in his collegiate career.

Starting every game in four seasons, 50 in all, has put considerable stress on Winters, who injured his shoulder in his sophomore year and saw the problem complicate the remainder of his career at Kent State.

Complete 2013 NFL draft coverage at SB Nation

Pros:

Versatility: Having played all along the offensive line at Kent State, Winters can not only provide a stop-gap at any line position if needed, but also can fill any long-term need for an NFL team.
Strength: A three-time letterer at his high school in wrestling, Winters proved himself against the best of the MAC during his 50 games played, and helped Kent State's offense rank among the best in the nation in 2012.
Leader: Winters proved an effective leader for a Kent State team that nearly made a BCS bowl in 2012.

Cons:

Poor hand placement: Many scouts are worried that Winters is unable to place his hands correctly when punching attacking rushers, who have been able to knock him off-balance in the past.
Poor speed: Generally a five-plus second 40-yard rusher, Winters might not be able to keep up with some of the league's best pass rushers, especially around the corner if he is placed on the end of the line.

Quotable:

NFL.com's profile of Winters highlights his room to grow:

Effective combo blocker, as well, as he can seal the tackle and then negate a linebacker using his length and quickness. His frame has the room to grow, and his footwork is strong enough to redirect defenders away from his quarterback or running back if he gets in trouble.

CBS Sports compares Winters to a handful of pros:

COMPARES TO: Adam Snyder, OG, Arizona Cardinals -- Like Snyder, Winters' value lies in his toughness, physicality, durability and potential versatility.

Possible fits:

The New York Jets could be interested in Winters to help bolster their offensive line, which seemed porous at times with Mark Sanchez behind center in 2012. Gang Green Nation took a look at Winters earlier this year.
The Denver Broncos could also be interested in Winters' services and Denver met with Winters at the Senior Bowl. Mile High Report took an in-depth look at Winters in February.

2013 NFL Combine performance:

Winters suffered a pectoral strain while doing the bench press at the combine, and registered nine reps before stopping. He did participate in Kent State's pro day on Mar. 6, and registered a 4.7 second 40-yard dash, a 31.5-inch vertical leap, and a 107-inch broad jump. He did not attempt to lift.

NFL Draft 2013: Menelik Watson prospect profile

2013-03-05T11:00:06Z

Few 2013 NFL draft prospects can boast the unusual background and journey of Florida State Seminoles right tackle Menelik Watson. Born and raised playing basketball in Manchester, England, Watson saw his athletic prowess land him a spot on a youth basketball team in Spain and with the Marist Red Foxes basketball team before football even became a viable option for the 6'5 Watson.

After transferring from Marist to Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, Calif., to play football, Watson's name came up on the radar of many top-flight FBS programs. Florida State seemed the fit for Watson, who was integral in protecting quarterback E.J. Manuel as the Seminoles captured an ACC title and an Orange Bowl victory over the Northern Illinois Huskies.

A projected first- or second-round pick, Watson could be one of the draft's best stories.

Complete 2013 NFL draft coverage at SB Nation

Pros:

Athleticism: Growing up playing basketball has turned Watson into a formidable force on the line, using keen footwork and skill learned in the post to provide strong protection on the right side. Watson was held responsible for just one sack in 2012.
Conditioning: Also as a result of his basketball background and training, Watson has shown the ability to play all 60 minutes at full speed, despite a listed weight of 320 lb.
Speed: Watson reportedly clocks in the 4.7 range in the 40-yard dash, meaning he has strong leg drive and is able to move around to shadow rushers no matter their speed around the corner.

Here's Watson's strong performance in the Seminoles win over the Miami Hurricanes in October, via DraftBreakdown.com.

Cons:

Lack of background: As a player with very limited football experience -- two years at junior college and one season at the FBS level -- some concerns remain about Waton's football instincts and his prowess on the field. Watson also only played eight games with the Seminoles because of injury, bringing his career football total to just 20 games between Juco and FSU.

Quotables:

In mid-January, ESPN's Mel Kiper moved Watson into the first round in his mock drafting, saying Watson's athleticism was too much to ignore:

Who? Well, suffice to say, after just one year at Florida State, scouts know all about Watson, and people in NFL front offices are starting to catch up. This is a kid who has played basketball at the D-I level, can really use his hands to swat away rushers given a track record as an emerging boxing talent, and will go to the combine and run in the 4.8 range at around 320 pounds. ... Watson's ceiling is deserving of this draft range.

Kiper has since moved Watson out of his first round in his latest mock draft.

Rivals.com also had high praise after Watson surprisingly declared for the draft after his junior season at Florida State:

Watson is freakishly-athletic, and not just for someone his size. The 6-foot-6, 320-pound tackle has been clocked in the 4.7 range in the 40-yard dash. He won the starting right tackle job, despite not having the advantage of spring practice like the rest of the candidates. With his frame and strength Watson is the ideal NFL tackle.

College info/stats:

According to a recent profile on Watson from FOXSports.com, Watson graded at 76 percent during 2012, allowing just one sack of quarterback EJ Manuel.

2013 NFL Combine performance:

The combine wasn't a poor showing for Watson, who measured in with a big, athletic frame and long arms like everyone expected; however, he wasn't quite as big or as long as most thought. He also didn't perform as well as many thought he would, finishing the 40-yard dash in an underwhelming 5.29 seconds.

He didn't wow in any of the drills and was the slowest offensive lineman in the 3-cone drill. With these struggles, the prospective ceiling of Watson may not be as high as was initially believed and could mean a lesser draft stock for the raw player.

Possible fits:

Indianapolis Colts: Quarterback Andrew Luck was hit often in 2012, and Watson could provide much-needed protection at his natural right tackle spot, or perhaps could move to the blind side to protect the emerging second-year quarterback.
Seattle Seahawks: With a mobile quarterback like Russell Wilson, Watson's athleticism could prove invaluable in a system that needs good blocking on the move.

More in the NFL:

• NFL Mock Draft: New names rising in first round

• The NFL's disappearing middle class

• Rex Ryan: "No truth" to Darrelle Revis trade rumors

• NFL Draft pro days and workout schedule

• The speed conspiracy: Comparing NFL and high school 40-yard dash times

• The complete history of elite NFL quarterbacks

Buffalo Bills team needs: Room to build in 2013

2013-02-25T16:00:04Z

Buffalo would collect additional victories against only division foes the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets to go with a win over the hapless Jacksonville Jaguars by season's end.

Only strong performances out of running backs C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson, who did end up missing time because of injury, provided a bright spot for the 6-10 Bills.

When it comes to the team's needs, Brian Galliford of SB Nation's Bills community, Buffalo Ramblings, doesn't hold back — aiming squarely at the passing game and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick:

Buffalo's biggest need has been at the quarterback position since, oh, around 1997, when Hall of Fame signal caller Jim Kelly retired. Unbelievably, the Bills have taken just one quarterback in the first round since they took Kelly in 1983 - that would be the venerable J.P. Losman - and have picked just one quarterback at any point in the past five seasons (2010 seventh-rounder Levi Brown, now out of the league), when their desperation level at the position reached such a fever pitch that they gave a massive contract to Ryan Fitzpatrick. As usual, Buffalo has plenty of needs - but there's no secret about which is the most pressing.

Biggest need: Linebacker

Other needs: Quarterback, wide reciever

Buffalo could do Fitzpatrick a favor if uninterested in taking that financial hit and get him another target to complement first option Stevie Johnson.

NFL Draft outlook: Bills claim top-10 pick

The Bills might also consider bolstering their offensive line with their first-round pick if they intend to acquire weapons to create a stronger passing game.

Salary cap situation: Money to spend

More in the NFL:

• ’Best player available’ and other lies

• Linemen running the 40 will inspire you

• Mike McCarthy is confused

• GIF: Tavon Austin, Marquise Goodwin with blistering 40s

• Mike Mayock explains why he likes big butts

2013 NFL draft: College doesn't have to be the best four years of your life

2013-02-14T14:22:08Z

The narrative would have you believe that New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady struggled mightily in his college years at Michigan.

Brady, after all, wasn't picked until the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft, after such NFL duds as Giovanni Carmazzi, Chris Redman, Tee Martin and Spergon Wynn. Brady's legend has slowly coalesced into the story that he sat idly by in Ann Arbor for the storied program and showed little potential.

Brady, however, started 25 games, threw for 35 touchdowns against 18 interceptions and won an Orange Bowl at Michigan. Brady succeeded in college, and despite the low draft pick, has succeeded — well beyond expectations — in the pros.

More: 2013 draft rankings | The best team money can buy

But that's not to say the unlikely performer doesn't exist in the NFL. Plenty of strong NFL contributors in league history actually were overshadowed in college, either sitting at the end of depth charts or leading underwhelming squads, only to see the NFL treat them to niche success they couldn't find in college.

Matt Cassel knows full well what it's like to sit at the end of a depth chart, having spent his entire career with the USC Trojans with a clipboard in hand, watching Heisman Trophy winners Matt Leinart and Carson Palmer toss endless touchdowns in the prime of one of the decade's most prolific collegiate offensive attacks.

Two hundred and thirty picks into the 2005 NFL draft, Brady's Patriots were looking for a strong backup, and used No. 230 on a guy who majored in it at USC. After three more seasons occupying familiar territory, Cassel took advantage of Brady's season-ending injury to complete a 10-win, 21-touchdown campaign that no one expected.

Cassel's performance despite little college success was surprising, but turn back the clock a few decades and you'll find that Cassel is not completely without equal. Dwight Clark might be most famous for one touchdown catch, but in his three years at Clemson he barely set foot in the endzone for the Clemson Tigers.

In three seasons Clark registered just three touchdowns and never hauled in more than 265 yards in a season. But just two years after the San Francisco 49ers paired him with quarterback Joe Montana by selecting him with the 249th pick (then a 10th-round selection), Clark pulled in 1,105 yards in just one professional year — the same year of "The Catch."

Sometimes when it comes to unheralded college performers, it's more about the system than the player.

Such was likely the case for fullback Le'Ron McClain. Four seasons at running back with a down Alabama Crimson Tide squad netted McClain only 170 rushing yards from 2003 to 2006. McClain never ranked higher than fifth in rushing on any of those teams, which were led by the likes of running backs Shaud Williams and Ken Darby.

McClain did haul in 48 receptions for 405 yards in his four seasons, but with little offensive impact expected, McClain went to the Ravens at No. 137 in the 2007 NFL draft fully expected to contribute solely as a blocking fullback.

His first season went mostly as expected, as McClain started 11 games, rushing for only 18 yards but quickly becoming one of the league's best blocking tight ends. He helped Willis McGahee rush for 1,207 yards.

In 2008, however, McClain was a sudden offensive force.

In one year McClain rushed for more than five times his career total at Alabama and scored 10 touchdowns, equalling his career total haul with the Crimson Tide. Since then McClain hasn't produced at quite the same levels, but has provided a strong blocking presence for the Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers in recent years.

What McClain, Clark, Cassel and — to a lesser extent — Brady have proved is that while it helps to have shined brightly in college, there's plenty that can be achieved in the pro ranks even if you didn't break records in college.

Not everyone needs to be a Montee Ball to guarantee NFL success, maybe that's why Ball chose to return to the Wisconsin Badgers despite breaking countless FBS records in 2011.

A year later, Ball's draft stock has fallen precipitously. But there's no reason he, or countless other more under the radar members of his draft class, can't make a big impact — or an even bigger catch — in the NFL.

Baseball Nation: All Posts by Asher Feldman

NFL Draft 2013: Montee Ball prospect profile

Combine Results

Chicago Bears team needs: Offensive line among top wants in 2013

Biggest need: Offensive line

Other needs: Linebacker, tight end

NFL Draft outlook: Bears have last lottery pick

Salary cap situation: Room to maneuver

More in the NFL:

Buffalo Bills team needs: Room to build next season

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NFL Draft 2013: Andre Ellington prospect profile

Combine Results

NFL Draft 2013: Brian Winters prospect profile

NFL Draft 2013: Menelik Watson prospect profile

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Buffalo Bills team needs: Room to build in 2013

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2013 NFL draft: College doesn't have to be the best four years of your life

The typical mock draft