According to my colleague and blog friend Mike'l Severe, here is his take from the Rivals website (subscription required for the article), here are some snippets followed by my comments on the players Mike'l thinks will be drafted:

Marlon Lucky

Mike'l's Evaluation: Marlon catches the ball out of the backfield better than almost all of the eligible backs. Coming out of a pro offense Marlon is top shelf in pass pro. His short area quickness will be a question and I wonder out loud how he will run his short shuttle - most NU grads excel at the short shuttle. His film will both benefit Lucky's draft status and hurt him. His vision has always been a question and that will show up on tape. If you put in the 2007 Texas tape you see a back that runs hard and finishes his runs. On the other hand some of the games versus top rated teams have you shaking your head. His 40 time probably won't impress many. Depending on the underclassman in this draft, the running back spot could be much better than expected.

FINAL TAKE: (Seventh round to FA) With a good pro day, he can maybe get into the sixth round. There is not a back in this draft with better hands.

Pete's Evaluation: I don't see it. It's all about his 40 time. It's not going to matter how good his hands are if he can't run somewhere within .03 seconds of 4.5. I agree with Mike'l that his film will most likely be his worst enemy as NFL teams will see an uninspired runner with poor vision. He gets a draft pick if and only if his 40 exceeds expectations. His performance in the Shrine Bowl helps though, so I guess I predict that he gets drafted late 7th until I see that 40, then all bets are off.

Zach Potter

Mike'l's Evaluation: It's one of the top truths in sports: you can't teach size. Zach Potter has that in spades. We speculated for a couple of weeks that he would be invited to the combine, and we found out Thursday that he did get that invite, and will play in the Texas vs. the Nation game. Zach started at Nebraska with a lot of critics, saying he didn't have a passion for the game of football. Potter says learning under Adam Carriker and then Carriker leaving, inspired him. As a tall defensive end, Zach has to worry about keeping his base low on the drive. And then play tall once he has reached his limit to the quarterback. His hand play has gotten so much better since '07. He credits his footwork to playing basketball in high school.

FINAL TAKE: (Fifth-Sixth Round) 6-foot-7, 290-pound players just don't fall off the tree. He will test good enough to get a couple of teams interested and that is all it takes. Potter says he will surprise people when running his 40. If he runs in the 4.8's and does as well as I think he will in the drills, Potter could get into the 4th round. I honestly think Zach can play in both the 3-4 and 4-3. I like him keeping his weight at 280. It is an average year for defensive ends.

Pete's Evaluation: I like Potter in the NFL. I think he goes in the fourth or fifth round. All NFL teams can use a big DE to stuff the run at the goal line, block kicks, maybe move inside in passing situations. I feel that Potter will be suitable at all of those tasks. He's not making a starting lineup in my opinion, but he will be in the league for at least five years. Solid in the fourth, a steal in the 5th.

Nate Swift

Mike'l's Evaluation: Nate has had an amazing season. If Swift can run in the low 4.5's he could enhance his draft status by a couple of rounds. His hands have improved this season and he blocks in the open field. That is something you won't see on the tape of many college receivers. Swift is a good route runner but would have to play in the slot at the next level because of his struggles getting off press coverage. If Swift runs an expected 4.57- 4.60, the late rounds or undrafted free agency should be expected.

FINAL TAKE: (Seventh Round): I think Swift will run well at his pro-day. If he runs low 4.5's he could go as high as the 6th round. The punt return ability will help Swift. Beside a tenth or so off his 40 and an inch in height, I don't think there is that much difference between Swift and Jordy Nelson.

Pete's Evaluation: There is a pretty big difference between him and Jordy Nelson. Jordy Nelson weighs 220 lbs and can beat press coverage, Swift cannot. This may sound like I don't think Swift will get drafted. I actually do. I think he will be faster than 4.57 and teams will like film of his punt returns. I agree that he is not going to be much of a threat but with teams carrying five or six receivers he will get a look. I think he goes in the 7th but makes a team, unlike Lucky.

Labels: expert scouting, Marlon Lucky, Nebraska Football, unsportsmanlike conduct