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 Draft madness is here. TCW's Joseph Caporoso calms us all down with some sobering underrated/overrated assessments.
If you miss football as much as I do, than you are counting the days until the NFL Draft. Over the last decade, the draft has risen rapidly in popularity as an event for football fans everywhere. Mock drafts are getting typed up by the thousands as every football pundit attempts to apply some logic to the inexact science of drafting college talent. Here is a look at this year’s most overrated and underrated draft prospects:
 Overrated: Vernon Gholston – Outside Linebacker/Defensive End – Ohio State
Gholston is this year’s annual workout warrior. He is a guy who wowed everybody at the combine in Indianapolis but whose production in college doesn’t merit him being selected as high as he will end up being taken. There are some mock drafts out there that actually have him going #1 overall to Miami. Yet, numerous scouts have pointed out how Gholston has a tendency to disappear at times and doesn’t have a high motor. Beyond that, he hasn’t shown the ability to be a strong player against the run.
 Underrated: Brian Brohm – Quarterback – Louisville
If Brohm had come out last season he likely would have been a top five pick, yet now most people are projecting him to be taken in the second round. All he did during his senior season was have his best year ever despite being surrounded by a fairly weak supporting cast. Unfortunately, his extra year in college has given scouts more time to scrutinize him and begin to nitpick on some of his flaws. There isn’t a major difference in talent between him and Matt Ryan. Don’t be surprised if a team trades up late into the first round to grab him.
 Underrated: Glenn Dorsey – Defensive Tackle – LSU
Dorsey was the consensus best player in the draft only a few months ago. However, concerns about his knee after a physical knocked his draft stock down considerably. Dorsey was a beast in college at an elite school and never had issues missing time with injuries. Fortunately for him, a recent strong showing at his school’s pro day has seemingly cemented him as a top six selection.
 Overrated: Matt Ryan – Quarterback – Boston College
If Ryan had been in the same draft class as Matt Leinhart, Vince Young, and Jay Cutler a few seasons ago he would have been a second round pick. He simply has lucked out by coming out during a year weak on top-end prospects at his position. Don’t expect a Brady Quinn like fall however, if Atlanta passes on him at #3. He won’t get past the Baltimore Ravens at number 8 who are apparently infatuated with him. Yet, they also drafted Kyle Boller so that doesn’t speak much to their knowledge of quarterbacks.
 Underrated: Darren McFadden – Running Back – Arkansas
McFadden has skinny legs, he fumbles too much, and he has character concerns: all the over exaggerated nonsense that is being said about him is just that, over exaggerated nonsense. The guy is a playmaker and a legitimate threat to score anytime he touches the ball. He is the best overall player in this draft and yet could end up staying on the board until number six (fingers crossed since I am a Jets fan).
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