Local Players In The Draft

Larry Fitzgerald WR Pitt 6-3, 221 - One of the top prospects ever to come out of Pitt. USC's Mike Williams will challenge Fitz for the first WR chosen. Still, Fitzgerald graded out with perfect scores for hands, patterns and blocking. Rarely are receivers this polished out of college.

Claude Harriot DE Pitt 6-4, 252 - Full of potential that went unrealized as a senior. A good bet to go late on the first day. Could be a third-round steal, but most teams won't take a chance on him any earlier. Round four is very possible.

Quincy Wilson RB West Virginia 5-9, 216 - Son of former Bears' LB Otis Wilson. Excellent balance, vision, quickness, leg drive, pad level, and versatility. Elevated his draft status with a strong senior season and will probably be chosen early on the second day.

Lousaka Polite FB Pitt 5-11 1/2, 246 - Possibly the top FB; excellent blocker who catches the ball and can run between the tackles. Exceeded expectations at the combine, running a 4.65 forty and turning in good performances with the weights. Probably will go early on day two.

Kris Wilson TE Pitt 6-2, 246 Excellent 40 time (4.59) has created positive buzz. Athletic, good hands, adept at making big plays down the field. Size is a downside. In a draft full of excellent TE prospects, will most likely be around on day two.

Shawntae Spencer CB Pitt 6-0, 176 - Excellent speed. Plays well in zone bump and run, can play man to man. Needs to add muscle. Can be over-powered; needs to get more physical. Needs work on tackling and technique. Great upside; should go in the middle rounds.

Brandon Miree RB Pitt 6-0, 226 - Can make defenders miss in open field. Bursts through line. Can be caught from behind by fast d-backs. Needs work on catching technique. Runs high at times, leading to being tackled easily. Could be taken anywhere from round five on.

Grant Wiley ILB West Virginia 6-0, 233 - Undersized but productive. Top-notch instincts, always around the ball. Not all that big, fast or athletic; lacks explosiveness and strength. Consistently performed against top competition. A smart team will take him late and wind up with their special teams captain.

Khiawatha Downey G IUP 6-5, 315 - Former Pitt starter transferred to IUP. Great size, quickness and strength. Has serious health issues and battles multiple sclerosis. Medication fatigues him, causing endurance and practice problems. Seems to project as a late-round pick.

Rod Rutherford QB Pitt 6-2, 240 - Legit QB prospect. Good arm; struggles with accuracy, makes WRs adjust to throws. Needs more development, has a ton of upside. Expected to be drafted late, but would be better off as a free agent with some power over where he goes.

Sean McHugh FB Penn State 6-5, 262 - Moves defenders well while run blocking. Aware of the field around him while pass blocking; picks up blitzes well. Good hands. May be a 'tweener as he has TE size and may be too tall for FB. A project at TE.

Rich Gardner CB Penn State5-11, 191 - Hard worker and instinctive; plays faster than he times (4.50). Bad footwork and needs to refine his technique. Could develop into a solid backup in the pros. Probable late pick, certain to be in a camp.