2008 NFL Draft Preview: Sam Baker
Sam Baker is a 6'5" 309lb senior offensive tackle out of the University of Southern California. Baker was a 3 time first team All-American at USC. He is considered among the top tackle prospects in the 2008 draft. NFL Draftscout.com has the Trojan ranked as the 7th best offensive tackle in the draft and Fox Sports has Baker listed ass a player who can be an NFL starter as a rookie.
Playing four years at a premiere college program at USC is strength for Sam Baker. He played consistently well to be named a three time first team All-American which is a great strength. Baker has great size and strength. He showed off some of his strength at the NFL Combine doing 28 reps at the 225lb bench press. On the flip side his stock has been falling. This past season he was hampered with a hamstring injury. He was "disappointing in workouts at the Senior Bowl," according to NFL Draftscout.com. Baker was limited at the NFL combine due to an issue with his left knee. Consequently his stock has dropped and is now projected as a second round draft pick. A great workout at his Pro Day workout would help solidify his position or possibly bump Baker back into the first round.
Slipping to the second round will give more teams a chance of drafting Sam Baker. Baker would be a great pick in the second round with his potential to be a 2008 starter in the NFL. Teams which could be interested in Baker would include the Miami Dolphins, Saint Louis Rams, Atlanta Falcons, Oakland Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Denver Broncos, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Redskins, Dallas Cowboys, Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks, San Diego Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, and the New York Giants. Sam Baker should be an interesting name to watch in the late first round and if he is still available anywhere in the second round
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