This is part two of a two-part analysis of the Badger's Draft Day chances in 2005.
Senior defensive end Erasmus James right now is almost a lock to go in the first round, but scouts must remember that only a year ago, James' football career was in jeopardy as he missed the entire 2003-04 season due to a serious hip injury. Coupled with that, James also missed considerable time again this year with a leg injury, and in hindsight, really only played four or five dominant games this year.
Senior running back Anthony Davis on the other hand, has been plagued with the injury bug his entire career, with this past season being his most disappointing. This year was his chance to show scouts that he could play through an entire season and flourish in an offense that was designed around his abilities. The lasting image of Davis will not be his touchdown in the Illinois game where he saluted the fans in Section O, but rather the blank stare he had on his face as he watched his team crumble at the hands of the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Scouts are well aware of Davis' career and the injuries he sustained, but it will only be a matter of time before he is selected on draft day. Some team will take a gamble and draft Davis based on his huge upside. Davis' multiple injuries pose less of a concern than does the one huge injury that rests on James' hip.
Possibly the most reliable player Wisconsin will have in the draft is senior defensive lineman Anttaj Hawthorne. The 6'3', 305 lbs. defensive lineman has stayed healthy for the majority of his career and has the size and strength to play defensive tackle in a 4-3 defensive scheme that is becoming prevalent in the NFL.
The Packers, among many other teams, would be more than happy to acquire his services, especially if he falls into one of their two mid-second-round picks.
However, this would require Mike Sherman and the Packer brain trust to not trade up with one of those picks and go after back up Badger punter R.J. Morse or a possible replacement for Ryan Longwell, Mike Allen. Both moves make sense right now, but can the Packers really handle the egos of B.J. Sander and Morse fighting for the back-up punter spot?
The Badgers also appear to have two other draft locks in senior offensive lineman Dan Buenning and senior defensive lineman Jason Jefferson. Wisconsin fans can be thankful that their best NFL offensive-line product, Donovan Raiola, will be back next year. Buenning, however, is the most talented in the class of four senior lineman, and figures to go ahead of Jefferson somewhere in the third or fourth round. At times both of these players were overlooked this past season, but the duo should turn out to be solid NFL players.
That takes us to a handful of players who have an outside chance of being drafted during the second day. Here is a look at how five other Badgers will fair on draft day:
Jim Leonard, DB- Size is a definite issue here for Leonard who stand at a generous 5'8', but scouts will be drawn to his punt return ability as he leaves Wisconsin as the leading returner in Big 10 history. His toughness will land him on a NFL team, though it will be via a free agent contract after the conclusion of the draft.
Matt Katula, long snapper- The most underrated position in the NFL. Katula is one of the better snappers available, which will land him with a job in the NFL.
Jonathan Clinksdale, OL- Scouts like his size standing 6'3' 303 lbs., and the NFL's need for depth on the offensive line will result in Clinksdale being selected somewhere in the sixth or seventh round.
Jonathan Welch, DL- Welch was part of the senior unit that had its weaknesses exposed at the end of the season. Welch, who was the least talented of the four, is also undersized, even for a defensive end weighing 232 lbs. Welch in all likelyhood will not be drafted, but may be signed as a free agent.
Scott Starks, DB- Starks made great strides this year as a player and has the speed and experience NFL scouts are looking for. However, standing at 5'10', and those same scouts don't have the ability to teach him to grow the few more inches into a more ideal cornerback. This lack of size will leave Starks just short of being drafted.
Before all is said on draft day, the Badgers figure to be represented very well in the weeks to come. With as many as eight possible Badger rookies on rosters next year, this group will go down as one of the deepest and most talented in the school's istory.
Jon is a junior majoring in English and journalism. You can reach him for all of your draft questions at jrmcnamara@wisc.edu.
