Before we get into the 2005 SFL Draft, let's take a look at who are the most promising rising stars in the SFL. I compiled a roster of the top players under 25 years old heading into the 2005 season. This part will cover the offensive unit.
Note: This roster selection is based on the players production in 2004 season. To be eligible, players must be 24 years old or younger when the new season kicks off.
QB Eli Manning | 24 years old | Jacksonville Jaguars
Being in the same division with his older brother has forced Eli to make as close production as possible to Peyton to live up to the legacy of the Manning's family. Eli didn't shy away of the challenge. Even though he spent some time "being like Michael Vick" due to some file error, he still led all rookies in all passing categories last season. He finished the season playing in all 16 games completing 241 of 457 passing attempts (52.74 completion percentage) for 3,458 total passing yards and 26 touchdowns. Even though he also threw 21 interceptions and got sacked 44 times (led the league) due to his 'Mike Vick-ing', I am sure he is just going to be better this upcoming season with his scrambling tendency now solved, especially if GM Jason Arnold can solve their offensive line situation and surround him with enough weapons.
HB Cedric Cobbs | 24 years old | Chicago Bears
Many might wonder why I picked Cobbs instead of Musa Smith. Well, I consider Smith as an established star already meanwhile this article focus more on the rising stars. That is why Cobbs fits more to the description. Cobbs became the workhorse of the ground game on the Bears explosive offense in 2004 season. He finished the season racking up identical total rushing yards number with Smith which is 1897. While he lost in average yards per carry from Smith, he won in the scoring category with 15 total touchdowns (13 rushing; 2 receiving) to Musa's 12 total TDs (all from rushing). Cobbs needs to prove his consistency this upcoming season to be considered as an established star like Musa. And I think it won't be too hard for him.
FB Mewelde Moore | 23 years old | New England Patriots
There are some reasons why Musa Smith and the Patriots rushing offense was almost unstoppable last year. And one of those reasons is their young fullback Mewelde Moore. As a rookie FB, Moore took the league by storm when he racked up 86 total pancakes (he made more pancake blocks than probably half of the league offensive linemen, maybe even more) in his first season in the SFL. A 5'10" 209 lbs undersized fullback wasn't supposed to deliver that kind of production. But Moore seems like defying the law of physics probably because of his strength and quickness to move around the trenches and defeat bigger but slower defenders almost effortlessly.
WR Maurice Mann | 23 years old | Philadelphia Eagles
As a third round pick, no one in the laeague was expecting Mann to be in the conversation as rookie of the year or this kind of conversation, not even the GM himself who drafted him, GM Leonard Jones Henry. Mann surprisingly became the favorite target for the red hot Donovan McNabb last season by contributing almost 35% of McNabb's completion. Yup, that means every 3 passes thrown by McNabb, one of which went to the hands of Maurice. He finished the season with a crazy 1698 total receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. Like any other rookie wide receiver, he also dropped some but in his case it was only 8. Mann could be a star for long if McNabb can feed him the ball well and I think that won't be hard for him to do.
WR Anquan Boldin | 24 years old | Denver Broncos
Boldin proved that he is one of the best (if not the best) wide receivers in the league by his back to back double digit touchdowns and 1000 plus yards in 2003 and 2004 seasons. With 13 (many consider this as unlucky number) touchdowns in each season, he became the primary scorer in Denver's offense. He even increased his receptions and receiving yards production from 80 catches for 1,328 yards in 2003 to 98 catches for 1,701 yards in 2004. If Bledsoe can get healthy all season long this upcoming season, I am sure Boldin will 'tri-peat' that kind of production.
TE Jason Witten | 23 years old | Washington Redskins
Witten played for the Bengals before traded to the Redskins this offseason. He scored 5 touchdowns last season catching the balls thrown by John Kitna. As a sophomore TE, that is a pretty good number. The Redskins just traded their Super Bowl winning QB Steve "Air" McNair to the Bills to acquire the young talented but raw Rex Grossman. Not sure what this will affect on Witten's production and development as a young pass catcher. But I know GM Mellon must see something special on Grossman, probably a long term franchise QB for the Redskins for many years to come. Meanwhile, Witten will just get better and better to help Grossman's development.
LT David Diehl | 24 years old | Miami Dolphins
Diehl was drafted by the Cardinals in the 2003 SFL Draft where he played for 1 season (not bad production as a rookie with 56 pancakes) then got traded to the Dolphins. The move seems to work for him and the Dolphins in which he helped the Fins to reach the Super Bowl by amassing 69 pancake blocks and not allowing any single sacked to Tim Couch came from his blocking side. He is just going to get better with his age and might become one of the most effective blockers in the league for years to come.
LG Stephen Peterman | 23 years old | Miami Dolphins
Another outstanding young offensive lineman from the Dolphins that made this list. No wonder Tim Couch could play calmly and brought them to the Super Bowl. Peterman allowed 2 sacks came from his blocking assignments last year. But as a rookie lineman, that number is considered remarkable especially along with his 51 pancakes from offensive guard position. GM Daren Roberts might ignore the offensive linemen prospects on this year's draft class considering he still got 2 young studs already in his team.
C Jeff Faine | 24 years old | New York Giants
Faine did allow 9 sacks from his blocking assignment last season while he only allowed 2 in 2003 season. But his pancake blocks increased from 33 to 38. That may not be that significant but as a center where it is harder to make the defenders to lay on their back Faine's increasing pancakes might be a good sign of developing agility which is a good way to help the backfield to find holes to run through. So Faine might not be there yet but he surely is developing on the right direction.
RG Shawn Andrews | 22 years old | Seattle Seahawks
Andrews' production in 2004 might not be mindblowing. However, he did all that as a 22-year-old rookie in a struggling Seahawks team. He compiled 52 sacks but allowed 6 sacks came from his direction. I am sure he will increase that production in this upcoming season considering his 6'4" 366 lbs frame and increased football IQ.
RT Wade Smith | 24 years old | Minnesota Vikings
As a RT who usually goes up against the quicker (sometimes freakier) defensive end, Smith has proved that he is a sure talent for the job. Drafted by the Vikings in the second round in 2003 SFL Draft, he made immediate impact on the Vikings offensive line in 2003 season by compiling 67 pancakes while only allowing 4 sacks came from his way. He emphasized that impact last season by increasing his pancake block productions by 9 to 76 and still only allowing 4 sacks. With increased football IQ and boosted attributes from sophomore progression, I am sure he is going to be one of the most impactful offensive linemen in the league for years to come.
This concludes this part of my roster selection for rising stars on the offense for SFL All-Under-25 Team. Next part will cover the rising stars in each position on the defense. If you have any comments, thoughts or suggestions, please leave those below.
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