NEW YORK -- Our scouts break down the third round of the 2007 NFL draft.
Round-by-round analysis:
First | Second | Third | Fourth | Fifth | Sixth | Seventh
Inside the third round
• All the red flags are there for Georgia DE Quentin Moses. He had a disappointing season, didn't have a strong Senior Bowl week and showed up overweight at the combine. But don't forget Moses once projected as a first-round pick and Oakland needed to get a defensive end. If Moses commits himself to improving and adds some bulk to his frame, he could prove to be one of the steals in this draft because of his natural ability.
• Infusing youth into the cornerback position had to be one of New Orleans' top priorities. Unfortunately for Saints' fans, the front office may have gotten caught up in the hype surrounding Usama Young, who turned in an impressive 40-time. Young may be fast, but he doesn't change directions particularly well and isn't a great playmaker. Add in concerns about his ability to make the jump to the NFL after playing at Kent State and it becomes clear New Orleans reached here.
• Dallas took Boston College OT James Marten to fill its need at defensive tackle and he is a good value in the third round. He is a feisty drive blocker who plays with a wide base and masks his lack of ideal lateral mobility by using his long arms to ride edge rushers past the pocket. However, Doug Free of Northern Illinois could be the better pick here because he is a much better pass blocker and the Cowboys need a left tackle more than a right tackle. Free gets set quickly and shows excellent lateral mobility for his size. One reason the Cowboys may have taken Marten is a foot injury slowed him during his senior season.
• Arizona has greater needs than inside linebacker. However, Florida State ILB Buster Davis represents an upgrade over Gerald Hayes and should benefit from the Cardinals taking Michigan DT Alan Branch. With Branch eating up space and occupying blockers, Davis' size won't be as much of an issue. He has excellent instincts and takes the shortest path to the ball, so he should be very effective.
• Notre Dame OT Ryan Harris should be happy he ended up in Denver because it is arguably the best fit for him. Harris' biggest weakness is his inability to drive defenders off the ball, but the Broncos won't ask him to do that too much. Instead, the zone-blocking scheme will take advantage of his above-average lateral mobility and initial quickness.
• Florida State RB Lorenzo Booker has the burst and elusiveness to emerge as an excellent third-down back. However, Booker is undersized and can't carry a heavy workload. As result, the Dolphins need to take a big back who can step in should Ronnie Brown sustain an injury if they don't think the league will reinstate Ricky Williams.
• Fresno State CB Marcus McCauley dropped to the third round because he makes too many mistakes and gives up too many big plays for a prospect with his talent. However, the Vikings needed help at corner and he has the tools to develop into a starter if the light comes on for him. He has excellent size, the speed to run with receivers and the quick feet to stay with receivers in man coverage.
• Two small-school receivers came off the board in the third. Houston took Jacoby Jones out of Lane and Atlanta took Laurent Robinson out of Illinois State. Jones is the stronger prospect, and could develop into a quality No. 2 if he can adjust to the speed of the NFL game. He should move into the No. 3 role and eventually replace Kevin Walter as the starter opposite of Andre Johnson. Robinson is more of a reach because he doesn't catch the ball as consistently and needs to improve his ability to beat press coverage. However, there's a lot to like about his big-play ability and he's capable of turning the limited touches he'll likely see with the Falcons during his rookie season into decent production.
• The Devin Hester effect continues to linger. After Miami reached for Ted Ginn Jr. in the first round, Baltimore took Kansas State WR/RS Yamon Figurs in the third. Figurs has everything you want in a return man. He is fearless, quick and fast enough to go the distance when he gets a seam. The problem is he hasn't been a productive receiver and will have to make substantial progress to push for playing time for offense, so he is one-dimensional. Chances are the Ravens could have waited and filled this need on the second day of the draft.
• San Francisco's strong draft continued with the selection of Washington State WR Jason Hill. Hill is a raw route runner and is faster than he is quick, but he has the jets to get behind defensive backs and the big hands to make spectacular catches. Getting him gives the 49ers a much-needed playmaker at the receiver position.
• Philadelphia did well to add Penn State RB Tony Hunt. While the Eagles already have a big back in Correll Buckhalter, he has had problems staying healthy, so adding another backup Brian Westbrook is wise.
• Cal CB Daymeion Hughes' stock plummeted after he turned in an abysmal 40-time at the combine, but he has the tools to develop into an excellent Cover 2 corner. He is physical, reads routes well and is a playmaker. Indianapolis should be happy to have landed him in the third.
• Stanford QB Trent Edwards finally came off the board in the fourth round. Though he slipped, it's important to remember that he missed most of his senior season with a foot injury. If he can stay healthy, his arm strength and quick release should make him an excellent insurance policy should J.P. Losman sustain an injury or struggle.