Predicting and assessing the NFL Draft is an impossible crapshoot, as much as Mel Kiper Jr. and his imitators would have you believe it’s an exact science.
Still, there are certain players who went to certain teams last weekend who look like they’ll not only fit in, but contribute right away.
Here is one man’s list of those players, keeping in mind that this Tuesday Top Five carries with it no guarantee of future performance.
5. Pat White, QB, Miami (second round, 44th overall) — Just because I thought the fuss over the Wildcat formation was a little overblown doesn’t mean it’s not worth drafting a guy like this if you’re going to insist on running it. Maybe there’s a place for option QBs in the NFL after all.
4. Brandon Tate, WR, New England (third round, 83rd overall) — The Patriots have the luxury of waiting for Tate’s knee to fully heal, which means this is really a pick for next year. And if Tate is anywhere close to where he was at UNC before he was hurt, look out.
3. B.J. Raji, DT, Green Bay (first round, 9th overall) — The Packers were desperately in need of defensive line help, even as they made the switch to a 3-4 defense. Raji, a one-man wrecking crew at Boston College, should step right in as the nose tackle in the new scheme.
2. Nate Davis, QB, San Francisco (fifth round, 171st overall) — So he’s “only” 6-foot-1 and he didn’t play in a pro-style offense at Ball State. The kid’s a leader, a winner and he’s got a cannon for an arm. Taking a QB in the fifth round and hoping he pans out is a lot safer (and smarter) than taking one first overall and praying he does. (See No. 1 on this list.)
1. Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Detroit (first round, 20th overall) — Say what you want about drafting a quarterback first overall and giving him a massive guaranteed contract (and I think it’s pretty stupid, since cornerbacks and linemen are far surer bets at the top of the draft), getting Matthew Stafford a big target and go-to safety net at tight end in Pettigrew was a clever move to bolster that first pick.
Luke has worked for The N&O since 2000. He covered the Carolina Hurricanes and the NHL before becoming a sports columnist in August 2008. A native of Evanston, Ill., he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. He can be reached at 829-8947 or 
Comments
Since I didn't mention the
Tue, 04/28/2009 - 07:55 — ldecock (author)Since I didn't mention the Panthers at all, I find it hard to see any evidence of a pro-Panthers bias here.
That being said, I assure you that while we get our Panthers coverage from our partners in Charlotte, the N&O is most aware of the historical ties to the Redskins in this area.
Redskin Faithful...
Tue, 04/28/2009 - 07:24 — PhuzzballBrian Orakpo has to be included in your list here Luke. He is a beast and will indeed help an aging left side of the defensive line, immediately. The Redskins were lucky he was still available at 13, but they grabbed him without hesitation. I know, I know... The N&O is Panther powder. You guys have to recognize, however, the behemoth volume of Redskin faithful in eastern NC., as well. Washington not only drafted well, they made some shrewd pick-ups in the shadows, like Chase Daniels, for example. How about some equal time boys...
...really?
Wed, 04/29/2009 - 11:27 — MichaelProctonThe "shrewd" pickup of a short system quarterback who certainly won't make it out of training camp? And you complain of homerism?