Taylor: NFL analyst evaluates UK players

KSR's Keith Taylor recently had the opportunity to speak with NFL analyst Keith Kidd about the NFL potential of Andre Woodson, Jacob Tamme, Keenan Burton and Rafael Little.

Three factors play a role when it comes to drafting college football players.

Keith Kidd, who has worked in the front office with the New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns and Arizona Cardinals, and knows the considerations a team makes before drafting a player.

Kidd said performances in the regular and postseason, combined with all-star game outings and individual workouts help determine a player’s stock value before the draft.

The Senior Bowl was held earlier this month, while the NFL Combine will be held Feb. 20-26 in Indianapolis, Ind. More than 300 college players are invited to participate in the week-long session for professional teams.

During an interview earlier this week, Kidd, an NFL analyst for ESPN.com, offered his observations on Andre Woodson, Keenan Burton, Jacob Tamme and Rafael Little.

Kidd on Woodson:

Most analysts observed and said Woodson’s stock dropped during the Senior Bowl, but Kidd thinks he can improve his standing before the draft. As of now, Kidd thinks Woodson will go late in the first round or early in the second round, but said “a lot of that could change.”

“He’s going to have to make up a lot of ground in the combine and in individual workouts,” he said.

Kidd likes Woodson and said he’s “extremely talented.”

Kidd on Burton:

Kidd likes Burton’s chances and said a receiver of Burton’s caliber is “hard to find” and thinks Burton will be drafted in the early rounds.

“I think he’s a first-day guy,” he said.

Kidd on Tamme:

“He’s got a lot of stock value.”

Kidd said Tamme will need to make the adjustment of “receiver first and blocker second” and said Tamme’s ability to make plays is a plus.

Kidd on Little

Kidd is a big fan of Little and said he envisions the running back as a “third-down back.”

“He offers a change of pace (when he runs),” he said.

Kidd said a big question mark is Little’s size and the question of whether or not his body can handle the consistent pounding a running back endures in the professional ranks.

Like Woodson, Burton and Tamme, Kidd likes Little’s chances of succeeding in the professional ranks.