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Sporting News’ Pro Football War Room has hundreds of player evaluations in preparation for the 2010 NFL draft. Here is a capsule look at prospect Geno Atkins:

Geno Atkins was tied for 17th in the SEC in tackles for loss last season.

NFL position: DT
Height: 6-1 1⁄8
Weight: 286
40 time: 5.01
Current projection: Second-round pick

Against the run: Was productive in this area in college, but lack of size will be more of an issue in NFL. Shows the initial quickness off the snap to get into gaps and disrupt blocking schemes or make tackles in the backfield; is highly productive against "reach" blocks. Shows the initial quickness, leverage and hand usage to jolt offensive linemen; can defeat one-on-one run blocks with quick hands and feet. Lacks the size and strength to shed offensive linemen once they get their hands on him. Grade: 7.5

Pass rush: Explodes off the snap and into the backfield. Shows the hand usage and footwork to defeat one-on-one pass blocks with quick pass-rush moves. Gets underneath offensive linemen, jolting them backward when bull rushing aggressively; however, struggles to free up and make sack when close. Lacks size to be an elite bull rusher. Will deliver crushing hits to QB after the pass. Grade: 7.5

Initial quickness: Excels in this area, enabling him to be highly productive despite his lack of size. Anticipates the snap count well, and often is the first defensive lineman moving. Gets into gaps or on top of offensive linemen before they can get set. Grade: 8.5

Instincts: Shows excellent instincts and makes big plays. Sniffs out misdirection and trick plays. Must work on awareness of "side" blocks; can be driven down the line and out of the play too easily. Grade: 8.0

Pursuit/tackling: Excels in this area. Gets inside "reach" blocks and accelerates down the line. When unblocked on runs away, moves easily through traffic to chase down ballcarriers. As a tackler, stays under control and shows good technique. Grade: 8.0

Bottom line: During the ’09 season, Atkins was Georgia’s most productive defender, although he lost playing time late in the season to the emerging Kade Weston. Atkins has great athleticism, speed and explosiveness, but undersized defensive tackles are not suited for all NFL schemes. For teams that run a 4-3 scheme, he has high value as a 3-technique tackle. He probably will need a season or two as a backup to adjust to the pros and add bulk. Atkins will not be drafted as highly as we have him rated because of his size, but in time will prove to be a good value.

For more than 200 player scouting reports from Russ Lande and his team of former NFL scouts — plus updated mock draft, Super 99 rankings and more — go to warroom.sportingnews.com.

Sporting News’ Pro Football War Room has hundreds of player evaluations in preparation for the 2010 NFL draft. Here is a capsule look at prospect Joe McKnight:

NFL position: RB
Height: 6-0
Weight: 190
40 time: 4.45
Current projection: Third round

There are questions about McKnight’s ability to shed pro defenders.

Strengths: Is an elite athlete with top-level explosiveness and playing speed. Can stop and start in a flash, which helps him make quick, sharp cuts and make tacklers miss. Has the explosive cutting ability to get to and through holes fast. Combines good balance, agility and coordination to make tacklers miss; is a legit TD threat any time he gets the ball in the open field. Has foot quickness to accelerate to full speed in a flash; outruns some players with angles on him and gets the corner when he bounces runs outside. Has natural, soft hands. Catches the ball well out of the backfield and is a dangerous runner after the catch. Has shown the ability to be a dangerous returner.

Weaknesses: Has a slight frame and struggled in college to avoid injuries, including many minor dings; must prove he is tough enough for the NFL. Is not an aggressive runner and has a tendency to dance to avoid contact while searching for a hole. Tries to bounce almost all rushing attempts outside if he does not see a hole initially; will not lower shoulder and attack line of scrimmage to gain tough yardage. Is not good in short-yardage situations. Runs upright, leading to hard hits and limiting his ability to run after contact. Does not gain nearly as many yards after contact as you would expect for someone with his elusiveness. Uses bad technique as a pass blocker; often lunges at rusher’s feet rather than stepping up and blocking aggressively. Does not seem like an instinctive runner; often fails to follow blockers like the play calls for. Had ball-security issues in college; needs to do a better job of wrapping up ball with both hands.

Bottom line: McKnight left school early for the draft and definitely could have helped his stock by staying in school for another season. He lacks the thickness to be a durable NFL starter and will have to prove he is tough enough to be a major contributor at the next level. There is little doubt that he has the elite athleticism, top-end playing speed and explosiveness to make big plays when he gets the ball in the open field, but he is not a tough or aggressive runner, and he struggles to gain yards after contact. While many want to compare McKnight to Reggie Bush, who has been a disappointment in the NFL, McKnight was not close to being the player Bush was at USC. We have a feeling McKnight will be over-drafted because of the athleticism he will show at the Combine and in his personal workout. We would not use a first or second-round pick on him because we have not seen enough to be confident he will become a productive NFL player. He is best suited to be a mid-round pick who can be tried as a third-down back. To succeed in that role, he must greatly improve his pass blocking and protect the ball much better.

For more than 200 player scouting reports from Russ Lande and his team of former NFL scouts — plus updated mock draft, Super 99 rankings and more — go to warroom.sportingnews.com.