National Football League
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From: premiumplace@yahoo.com
To: LouPickney@gmail.com
Date: Dec 1, 2006 1:53 AM
Subject: DE with solid fundamentals..2007 draft

Why haven't I heard any buzz about Senior, Jermaine McElveen from UAB? I saw him at a game against Rice and this guy was all over the field. He even blocked the punt. Looks like he was an integral part of the team that made Roddy White look good enough to draft last year.

Lou: Jermaine McElveen has NFL-level size (6'3"-6'5", 245-250), though his speed at the combine and in UAB's pro day will be important, since there is a wide range listed for his 40 speed (between 4.8 and 5.1.) Most of the elite DE prospects rank in the 4.6-4.7 range, and those near the 5.0 mark have more bulk than McElveen (i.e. Florida DE Ray McDonald.) If you're going to be in the 5.0 range, you need to be in the 275-280 pound range to fit the prototype.

There are some great prospects in this draft, with depth spilling into the second round and beyond with guys who could easily become starters (i.e. Notre Dame's Victor Abiamiri, Nebraska's Adam Carriker, Texas' Brian Robison.) UAB's other starting DE, Larry McSwain, may actually go before McElveen in the draft.

McElveen has played hurt (playing with a broken wrist last season), but the former junior college star needs to have an outstanding pro day and/or combine performance to generate significant buzz. I doubt that Roddy White's performance two years ago will do anything to help McElveen's status, and if anything UAB's 3-9 record will be a detriment to his chances.

Depending on his combine, McElveen will probably be a late round pick or a free agent invite to a training camp. If he's actually 6'5" 250, and if he runs a 4.8 versus a 5.1, he could have a shot at making an opening day roster.