When NFL commish Paul Tagliabue came to the podium in New York last week and announced the Packers' No. 1 draft selection, the fax machine immediately began to ring. Well, draft analyst Joel Buchsbaum is here to tell you. Buchsbaum, a contributing editor at Pro Football Weekly, writes a draft preview guide every year and analyzes almost every college player that is eligible. He also provides an overall summary of each player. One of the most athletic offensive linemen in the draft, but he has problems anchoring and handling a good bull pass rusher.
Kickoffs are a plus.
Hands appear to be better than his concentration, and he may start running with the ball before he has it, at times, instead of looking it into his hands. At other times, balls will bounce off his pads because he is looking to catch it against his body instead of reaching out to snatch it. Has the best combination of run skills and pass-catching ability of any fullback in the draft. But the big winner over the two-day event was Brad Blank. Blank said he bought a case of beer and took it back to his New York hotel room after the Packers had solidified him five of the first 60 picks.