2008 NFL Mock Draft (week 3)

Updated: September 27th, 2007

The selection order is based on the REAL-LIFE standings, assuming the draft was "tomorrow."

Also note that this mock draft displays what I feel would happen, not necessarily what should happen.

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1. Atlanta Falcons
Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville
The situation is almost too perfect. The Falcons need a quarterback, and Bobby Petrino would love to have his former stud. He may not be the best available player, but it makes the most sense for both sides.

2. New Orleans Saints
Glenn Dorsey, DT, Louisiana State
The Saints' defense is terrible. Plain 'n' simple. Glenn Dorsey is the best player in the draft and will likely be #1 on everyone's board. The Saints' biggest need is arguably DT, so the pass-rushing Dorsey is a perfect fit.

3. Miami Dolphins
Jake Long, OT, Michigan
This team is still in shambles and needs to build around John Beck. Jake Long is one of the most dominated run-blockers in recent memory and is also great in pass-protection.

4. Buffalo Bills
Kenny Phillips, S, Miami (FL)
Yeah, the Bills did recently draft Donte Whitner, but as the Redskins will tell you, having a deadly duo in the secondary isn't a bad thing. The combination of Whitner and Phillips could easily become the best in the league.

5. St. Louis Rams
Calais Campbell, DE, Miami (FL)
The Rams really need defensive help, and the best way to do that is to add an elite pass-rusher to the defensive line. Calais Campbell is one of the best DE prospects in recent memory (next to Mario Williams, of course) and will have an immediate impact.

6. New York Jets
Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
While the Jets' needs don't really include a RB, they certainly include a play-maker, and McFadden is nothing short of that. With Kellen Clemens likely taking the reigns by next season, the Jets will need to add talent around him. Having a backfield of Thomas Jones and Darren McFadden will strike fear into the entire league.

7. Arizona Cardinals
Quentin Groves, DE/OLB, Auburn
With the switch to the 3-4 already underway, the Cardinals need that dominating edge-rusher that every 3-4 team needs. Groves will be standing up in Arizona, but will still be the dominant pass-rushing force that he is at Auburn. Although he needs some work in beefing-up and stopping the run, he's one of the best pure pass-rushers in recent memory and should have an immediate impact.

8. Dallas Cowboys (f/CLE)
Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon
Marion Barber will be a restricted free agent this offseason and Julius Jones could be facing the chopping block, so the Cowboys will need to bring in extra talent at the RB position. If the Cowboys do what I expect them to do, they'll have the most feared RB combo in the league with Barber and Jonathan Stewart.

9. Cincinnati Bengals
Tyson Jackson, DE, Louisiana State
While it's the Bengals' secondary that seems to be the problem, it always helps the guys in the backfield when there's a pass-rush. Tyson Jackson is a guy who can line up all over the defensive line and be a disruptive force.

10. Oakland Raiders
DeSean Jackson, WR, California
The Raiders need offensive play-makers. They need more explosion. They need more

11. New York Giants
Ryan Clady, OT, Boise St.
The Giants have been tackle-less for far too long. Ryan Clady is technically sound and physically overwhelming and has the potential to be one of the most dominating tackles in the league.

12. Philadelphia Eagles
Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas
The Eagles need more depth in the secondary and Aqib Talib is one of the most gifted athletes in the last decade.

13. Kansas City Chiefs
Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College
The Chiefs are terrible and it all roots from their terrible offensive line.

14. Minnesota Vikings
Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College
After the Tarvaris Jackson experiment failed, the Vikings need a real QB. Matt Ryan has a certain "it" to him that will remind you of Peyton Manning.

15. Chicago Bears
Andre Woodson, QB, Kentucky
With Rex Grossman finally falling out of favor in Chicago, the Bears need to think about a new quarterback. Woodson is a great athlete that's been progressing every year.

16. San Diego Chargers
Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona
The Chargers' secondary is still a weak-point and they need more help. Hopefully Norv Turner can actually make a decent coaching decision.

17. Seattle Seahawks
Keith Rivers, LB, Southern California
The Seahawks get a huge steal here with the first linebacker taken in round one. With a team that doesn't need many upgrades at specific positions, the Seahawks can truly afford to go with the Best Player Available, and that's certainly Rivers.

18. New England Patriots (f/SF)
Jasper Brinkley, LB, South Carolina
Brinkley is the tough ILB the Patriots need to further perfect their defense. An immovable object at the second level, Brinkley will be making big plays for years.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sam Baker, OT, Southern California
The Bucs need help in a couple of areas, and although they'll likely take their QB "of the future" in this draft, it won't be here. First they'll build the trenches.

20. Baltimore Ravens
Vernon Gholston, DE/OLB, Ohio State
The Ravens always seem to add to their great defense, and drafting Gholston will only help them continue that process. Gholston is a terror coming off the edge. He's a good pass-rusher, but even better at stopping the run.

21. Washington Redskins
Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida
The Redskins need help along the defensive line, especially in the pass-rush department. Harvey has a quick first step and is extremely explosive off the edge.

22. Carolina Panthers
Sedrick Ellis, DT, Southern California
The Panthers' defense has been very disappointing and it needs some re-vamping. Placing Ellis next to Julius Peppers will prove to be deadly.

23. Houston Texans
Steve Slaton, RB, West Virginia
With Matt Schaub clicking with his receivers and the offensive line playing at a much higher level, the Texans can now bring in a franchise RB.

24. Detroit Lions
Jonathan Goff, LB, Vanderbilt
The Lions need serious defensive help, and with the defensive line already very strong, the next key piece is the MLB.

25. Tennessee Titans
Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma
While the Titans are certainly overachievers, it's no secret that Vince Young needs more weapons. Malcolm Kelly is an underrated receiver that will prove his doubters wrong in the offseason.

26. Jacksonville Jaguars
Dan Connor, LB, Penn State
While they certainly have other concerns, the Jaguars could still use some upgrading and revamping in the LB core. Dan Connor is one of the best ever from "Linebacker U."

27. Denver Broncos
Rey Maualuga, LB, Southern California
The Broncos' defense won't be complete until they could find a stud MLB for their 4-3 defense.

28. New England Patriots
FORFEITED

29. Dallas Cowboys
Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
While Sweed won't dazzle you with his polished WR skills, he fits the mold of the Owens-type receiver in that he's a big down-field target. The Cowboys continue giving weapons to Tony Romo.

30. Pittsburgh Steelers
Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State
After missing out on Darrelle Revis in 2007, the Steelers will try to fortify their secondary with a strong addition at CB.

31. Green Bay Packers
Zach Bowman, CB, Nebraska
The Packers' defense is already one of the best in the league, but what they lack is a strong duo at CB. In the only area where they seemed to get burned, the Packers make a necessary upgrade.

32. San Francisco 49ers (f/IND)
Chris Long, DE, Virginia
Rounding-out the first round, the 49ers add to their 3-4 defense by selecting the son of HoF'er Howie Long, Chris. Chris Long is the perfect fit at DE in the 3-4 and has experience playing in it.

Positional Rankings and Scouting Reports

Below are the scouting reports for the 2008 NFL Draft prospects listed by position and rank.

It will take time to complete all of them, so only the names that have been listed are players that I have scouted. Reports are constantly being added and names will be added in the near future as well.

*Note - Rankings do not necessarily indicate where players will be drafted.

Quarterbacks
1. Brian Brohm
2. Matt Ryan
3. Andre Woodson
4. John David Booty
5. Colt Brennan
6. Erik Ainge
7. Chad Henne
8. Matt Flynn
9. Sam Keller
10. Dennis Dixon
11. Kyle Wright
12. Anthony Morelli
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Running Backs
1. Darren McFadden
2. Jonathan Stewart
3. Steve Slaton
4. Felix Jones
5. Brandon Ore
6. Mike Hart
7. Allen Patrick
8. Tashard Choice
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Wide Receivers
1. DeSean Jackson
2. Malcolm Kelly
3. Limas Sweed
4. Adarius Bowman
5. Marcus Monk
6. Early Doucet
7. Earl Bennett
9. James Hardy
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Tight Ends
1. Martellus Bennett
2. Fred Davis
3. Matin Rucker
4. John Carlson
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FB
1. Owen Schmitt
2. Peyton Hillis
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Offensive Tackles
1. Jake Long
2. Phil Loadholt
3. Ryan Clady
4. Gosder Cherilus
5. Sam Baker
6. Michael Oher
7. Tony Hills
8. Barry Richardson
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OG
1. Roy Scheunning
2. Kerry Brown
3. Eric Young
4. Shannon Tevaga
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C
1. Steve Justice
2. John Sullivan
3. Cody Wallace
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Defensive Ends
1. Calais Campbell
2. Quentin Groves (34OLB)
3. Tyson Jackson
4. Vernon Gholston (34OLB)
5. Derrick Harvey (34OLB)
6. Chris Long (C2UT)
7. Lawrence Jackson (34OLB)
8. Tommy Blake (34OLB)
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Defensive Tackles
1. Glenn Dorsey
2. Sedrick Ellis
3. DeMario Pressley
4. Andre Fluellen (34DE)
5. Dre Moore (34DE)
6. Frank Okam (34DE) 7. Red Bryant
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Linebackers
1. Jasper Brinkley
2. Keith Rivers
3. Dan Connor
4. Rey Maualuga
5. Jonathan Goff
6. Phillip Wheeler
7. Shawn Crable
8. Xavier Adibi
9. James Laurinatis
10. Vince Hall
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Cornerbacks
1. Aqib Talib
2. Antoine Cason
3. Malcolm Jenkins
4. Zach Bowman
5. Terrell Thomas
6. Justin King
7. DeJuan Tribble
8. Mike Jenkins
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Safeties
1. Kenny Phillips
2. Jonathan Hefney
3. Josh Barrett
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Place Kickers
1. Alexis Serna
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Punters
1. Geoffrey Price
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Quarterbacks

Brian Brohm | QB | Louisville
Had he declared for the 2007 draft, Brian Brohm likely would've been the second QB selected (Miami?) thanks to Brady Quinn's unanticipated drop. He now enters his senior year as the consensus #1 QB and an apparent lock to be a top-3 pick.

Brian Brohm will never impress you with his tools. He'll never flush out of the pocket, square his hips, and beam the ball 60 yards downfield for a touchdown. But what he will do well is manage games with effectiveness and efficiency. Although he does have the ability to scramble out of bad situations, Brohm is no speedster. He's got a decent arm and can make most of the throws, and his short-range accuracy is top-of-the-line. Although his accuracy can get dodgy on vertical routes, he has the ability to squeeze the ball through holes at intermediate ranges. Brohm is a very smart player and will impress you with his intangibles. Although he played in a QB-friendly Louisville offensive system, he's shown the ability to read and react to the defense and lead his team down the field and score points. Brohm does have many weaknesses. His durability is a thing of concern as he has never started a full season. His overall footwork and mechanics need some work as well, as he often displays the case of happy feet and erratic throws when under pressure. His biggest question, though, will be how well he can adjust to a new system. Will the loss of Bobby Petrino hurt his stock? If he struggles this season, the NFL will take notice and he'll likely drop far.

In the NFL, Brohm projects best as a QB in the West Coast Offense. He will make any team that much better. His smarts and intangibles are what make him a leading candidate for the first pick in the draft.

Draft Grade: Top-10

Andre Woodson | QB | Kentucky
Strengths: Great size at 6'5", 240 pounds. Fantastic arm strength and can make all the throws with ease. Improving as a decision-maker and has considerably cut down in mistakes. Does not fret under pressure like many others do and shows great poise in the pocket. Solid mobility, but nothing to write home about. Classic pocket quarterback that knows how to get the job done.
Weaknesses: Still a bit raw, but is really improving. Needs to be more consistent and show some better accuracy. This is really nitpicking though, because he rarely displayed these problems.
Notes: 2006 stats include 3,515 yards, 31 touchdowns, 7 interceptions, and a 63% completion percentage. Improved greatly over the last couple of years and should only get better. If he can prove he's not a one-year wonder, he could easily be the #1 player in the draft.
Draft Grade: 1st Round

Running Backs

Darren McFadden | RB | Arkansas
McFadden is only a junior, but is already one of the most productive RBs in the nation, and is easily the most talented. Averaging 5.8 yards per carry last season, including some very productive games against top defenses, McFadden's talent-production combination makes him the early favorite for the #1 pick in 2008.

McFadden's greatest strength is his blazing speed. He's extremely fast around the edge and has great agility to break into the open field. Despite a tall, thin frame (6'2", 215), McFadden also has outstanding burst up the middle and great power, easily breaking the arm tackles and undersized defenders. If he can continue to gain bulk and maintain his speed, McFadden could easily be the best player in the nation. Playing in an extremely versatile offensive system, McFadden is an extremely versatile player. Not only is he an outstanding runner, he's also a fantastic receiver out of the backfield and can cause matchup problems by splitting out wide as a receiver. He certainly has the measurables to play receiver, in fact he looks more like one than a RB, but it's his hands that make him a real threat. McFadden could use some work in a number of areas, though. He's still developing as a pass blocker and needs to get stronger at the point of attack and learn to use his hands better when staying back in pass protection. He also has a habit of running too high, a serious threat for injury. Despite his burst and power, McFadden also tends to run away from defenders rather than running towards them, using his speed to try to beat them to the corner. He usually doesn't get caught, but NFL players are much faster, and this won't work at the next level.

In the NFL, McFadden projects best as a 15-20 carry RB in a west coast offense. A team that already has another decent RB will benefit in having him, since he can line up in the backfield and in the slot, forcing huge matchup problems for the defense.

Draft Grade:

Jonathan Stewart | RB | Oregon
The only reason Stewart isn't the #1 RB is his production. Although his physical abilities may very well top McFadden's, Stewart has spent his career running in the spread at Oregon and has never rushed for over 1000 yards, despite averaging 5.4 yards per carry last season.

Stewart is a big, nasty, physical down-field runner with a fantastic combination of size and speed. At 5'11", 230 pounds, it's rumored that Stewart can run a 4.3 on a fast track, but is more likely to run closer to a 4.45, which is still very impressive for a man his size. Despite a lack of blazing speed (though it's great), Stewart has great burst and explosion out of the backfield and is agile enough to show off some nice shake-n-bake moves that compliment his mean stiff-arm. He's the prototypical RB, with great size, strength, speed, agility, and power. Although they haven't been tested much, Stewart has shown signs of having good hands in the receiving game. The only real negative about Stewart is his lack of production and the offensive system he's in. There's also some concerns whether or not he'll be able to handle 25-30 carries a game, but in the NFL, most teams are making the move to a dual-RB system, where he can be a star. If his production increases dramatically this season, he'll be moving up to #1.

In the NFL, Stewart projects as a blue collar RB in any system. With his size and power, teams will be eager to use him in the red zone and on goal line situations, but will also count on him to move the chains and control the clock.

Draft Grade: Top-15

Steve Slaton | RB | West Virginia
Strengths: Has elite speed and can outrun anyone on the football field. Plays tough and with a mean streak. Despite his small size, he plays much bigger than he actually is and can pack a punch. Very productive and proven to be reliable on a run-first offense. Is a leader on the field and displays good heart and pride.
Weaknesses: Doesn't have ideal size and has a small frame at 5'10", 195 pounds. Needs to bulk up and get stronger. More fast than quick and will have trouble breaking tackles at the next level. Has a bad injury history and durability is a concern. Terrible blocker and needs to improve drastically. Has had fumble problems in the past and will need to improve in the area.
Notes: In 2006 he ran for 1,744 yards on an astonishing 7 yards per carry and scored 16 touchdowns. Teams up with QB Pat White to have arguably the best overall running game in the nation. If he can prove to be more than just a speed-back, he could easily go in the top-10, but for now he's a late first round pick at best.
Draft Grade: 1st Day

Wide Receivers

DeSean Jackson | WR | California
When DeSean Jackson chose to play at Cal over USC, the world was in shock. Now, a few years later, it was a brilliant decision, as he's now considered by most to be the best WR in the nation (thanks for going to the NFL, Calvin Johnson) and won't be labeled as a product of the system. Last season, he had 59 receptions for 1,060 yards and 9 touchdowns. If he can repeat this productivity, he'll only help his stock.

In a draft class filled with big wide receivers, Jackson is the exception as one of the only real little guys, which leads us to his only real concern: size. Standing at a frail 6'0", 178 pounds, Jackson is simply too small to be considered a great NFL prospect. If he can put on a solid 10 pounds, though, he should be much more NFL-ready. Despite his small frame, he's never suffered any serious injuries and doesn't have any red flags. Jackson's biggest strength is his agility. He's an extremely fast, quick, and agile player, especially when he has the ball in his hands. His route running leaves much to be desired, but it has improved over the last couple of years and should only get better. Jackson also has very good hands; not great, but good enough. With his world class speed, he's a threat to put up six every time he touches the ball. Many will compare him to Ted Ginn, but he's a much better player than him and a much more well-rounded receiver. A natural receiver, Jackson also has the ability to be a deadly return specialist. In order to keep his stock steady, Jackson will have to have a really good season, because there's a long trail of big receivers right behind him reaching for that #1 receiver spot.

In the NFL, Jackson projects best as a burner-type #1 receiver to be used mostly as a deep threat. He could also go in the slot in 3rd-and-long situations and possibly as a gimmick option. He won't be able to go to just any team, though. He'll need a very poised, accurate QB throwing him the ball thanks to his small stature.

NFL Comparison: Santana Moss

Malcolm Kelly | WR | Oklahoma
Strengths: Outstanding size at 6'4", 218 pounds with a large frame. His hands are second-to-none an is great at snatching the ball out of the air. Excels at gaining yards after the catch with his running power. Pretty good route runner. Lacks top-end speed, but has enough to get open. Great down-field blocker. Great work ethic.
Weaknesses: Fairly inconsistent. Disappeared in some games, especially against elite secondaries. Lacks elite speed.
Notes: 62 receptions, 993 yards, and 10 touchdowns in 2006. Could easily jump ahead of DeSean Jackson this year if he can become more consistent and show better speed. Relatively unknown and overshadowed by the likes of Adrian Peterson, but he deserves all the hype he is going to receive this year.

Limas Sweed | WR | Texas
Strengths: Great size with a large frame, which he uses to be a huge redzone target. Long arms help him catch the ball at it's highest point and can reach for overthrown balls. Fantastic leaping ability and knows how to box-out the opponent. Not afraid to use his body. Has great balance and is not afraid to go over the middle and fight through traffic.
Weaknesses: Still very raw. Not very fast at all and relies a little too much on his body. Very inconsistent and disappears in games. Decent route-runner at best.
Notes: Had 46 receptions, 801 yards, and 12 touchdowns in 2006. Much more of a possession receiver than a burner but knows how to get the job done. Could see his stock fall tremendously due to speed, a la Dwayne Jarrett.

Adarius Bowman | WR | Oklahoma State
Strengths: Excellent size. Good but not great speed. Good all-around tools. Long strider and runs with a lot of power. Has great hands and body control. Knows how to bring the ball in. Great leaper and can box-out the defender.
Weaknesses: Lacks some experience. Disappears in some games, but is normally consistent. Still very raw and needs to work hard on improving his route-running.
Notes: In 2006 he had 60 receptions, 1,181 yards, and 12 touchdowns. Transferred to Oklahoma State after signing with North Carolina as one of the nation's top recruits. Most notable for his game against Kansas in which he had 13 receptions for 300 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Tight Ends

Martellus Bennett | TE | Texas A&M
Strengths: Tremendous size at 6'7", 250 pounds. Good athleticism for the position, especially since he plays basketball. Pretty good hands and receiving skills and excels at getting yards after the catch. Excellent blocker. Locks on and drives you back. Pretty good in pass-protection.
Weaknesses: Still developing as an all-around receiver and is pretty raw in that area. Doesn't have a very big frame and might not be able to put on weight as he is natrually thin and narrow.
Notes: Played on a run-first offense and proved to be one of the better blocking TEs in the nation. Bluechip prospect that does everything right. 2006 stats include 38 receptions for 497 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Offensive Tackles

Jake Long | OT | Michigan
Had Jake Long entered the 2006 draft, he likely would've been a top-10 pick (#5?), but he is easily the best offensive tackle in 2007 and could go as high as the top-3. In his career, Long has started 14 games at RT and 13 games at LT, though he seems to be pencilied in as the starter at LT this coming season.

Long is an extremely powerful offensive tackle with great size and a tremendous frame, standing at [unoffical] 6'7", and 313 pounds. He moves pretty well for his size, but he's no D'Brickashaw Ferguson in terms of technique and pure agility. Long is a very dominating run-blocker and a solid pass-blocker, and he seems to be only improving after losing 20 pounds just before last season. What stands out about Long is his versatility, having dominated at both the left tackle and right tackle positions at Michigan, a prized offensive linemen factory. Long is very strong at the point of attack, and once he's locked on to a defender, he's already won. He collects a lot of pancakes, especially in the running game. In the end, Long still has a ways to go to become a can't-miss prospect in terms of technique and agility, but he's one of the stronger OTs in the country and should improve a lot this season.

In the NFL, Long projects best as a RT. In fact, he could end up being one of the best RTs in the NFL very early in his career. Once he improves his over-all pass-blocking skills, he should fit in well at LT.

NFL Comparison: Jon Jansen

Sam Baker | OT | Michigan
Had he come out in the 2007 draft, Sam Baker would've easily been a first round pick, and possibly a top-20 pick. Entering his senior year, Baker will be starting his fourth season as the starting left tackle.

Sam Baker is a more well-rounded player than Jake Long, but not quite as dominant. He's got excellent technique and pretty good agility and flexibility and can keep up with most speedy defensive ends. His upper-body strength is also very good. What Baker is best known for is his ability to finish off his blocks, not quitting on the defender until he's knocked him down or the play is over. He doesn't always play with a mean streak, and although he doesn't give up many sacks, he tends to get beat and give up a lot of pressure against stronger defensive linemen. The level of competition he faces has never been top-notch, so we'll have to wait and see how he does against college football's best at the Senior Bowl.

In the NFL, Baker projects best as a LT on a man-blocking scheme. He'll never be an elite OT in the NFL, but he can be the anchor for an offensive line for many years.

NFL Comparison: Ross Verba

Barry Richardson | OT | Clemson
Strengths: Tremendous size at 6'7", 340 pounds. Incredibly long wingspan with a massive frame. Very productive in terms of his ability to record pancakes. Good foot and hand work for a man his size. More of a mauler than a technician, but still fluid enough to play LT.
Weaknesses: Carries weight well, but will still have to watch his weight. Lacks elite agility and flexibility, but does enough to get by. Still has yet to become a complete tackle, but is getting there.
Notes: Lead the Clemson offensive line and team all together to have one of the best running games in all of college football. Will remind some of Willie Roaf.

Defensive Ends

Calais Campbell | DE | Miami (FL)
By year's end, Campbell, a junior, could easily be the #1 player in the draft and the #1 pick. Despite his lack of experience, he's easily one of the most physically gifted players in the nation. In his sophmore year, Campbell had 10.5 sacks. Now a junior, Campbell is expected to become one of the most dominant players in the country and should really exceed past production.

What really jumps out about Calais Campbell is his size. Standing at a tall [unoffical] 6'8", he carries his 282 pounds extremely well. He's tall, lean, and long. Campbell's upside is tremendous due to this ridiculous size, and when you consider the fact that he's as successful as he is with so little experience and so much... rawness, you have to wonder how much better he will be with proper coaching and further development of his technique and pass-rushing repertoir. Thanks to his extremely long arms, Campbell is always able to get some sort of pressure on the quarterback by simply reaching out and doesn't always need to be right in his face. His long arms also help him bat down tons of balls at the line of scrimmage. Aside from his size, Campbell's other greatest strength is his burst. He has a very quick burst off the line of scrimmage and doesn't give the offensive lineman any time to adjust. He's very agile as well, always showing off his quick hands and feet when beating the lineman. Despite his size, Cambell lacks pure strength and power, thus limiting his ability to bull-rush the lineman. He often relies too heavily on his speed and will get beaten on occasion because of this. His lower-body strength is fine, but he seriously needs to bulk-up and strengthen his upper-body to be more of a complete pass-rusher. At this stage in his career, he can beat practically any OT he goes up against, but once he gets to the NFL, he'll have to be able to bull-rush the linemen that are quick enough to handle him.

In the NFL, Cambell projects best as a 4-3 DE. He will likely be a good fit in the Tampa-2 scheme. Campbell may also be able to play in the 3-4 as an edge-rushing OLB, though he'll have to get stronger.

NFL Comparison: Osi Umenyiora

Lawrence Jackson | DE | Southern California
Throughout his career, many people will tell you that Lawrence Jackson, though a fantastic player, hasn't been allowed to play to his potential thanks to the way they're using him down at USC. Whether that's true or Jackson has simply been inconsistent is debatable, but his natural talent is undeniable and is something to desire.

Jackson's greatest strength is his agility. He's very quick off the snap and is quick around the edge. He's got a good pass-rushing repertoire and has pretty good size at 6'5", 270 pounds. He definitely has the frame to get larger, but will have to do so without losing his explosiveness. As a sophomore, Jackson had 10 sacks and was the most feared defensive player on the Trojans, constantly attracting attention. He was still given a lot of attention his junior year and his productivity really dropped off, but you can't completely blame it on him, as there were obviously problems with USC's scheme and they just weren't able to use him properly as an edge rusher. Despite his great explosiveness, Jackson lacks elite strength and will need to get stronger. This could be a make-or-break season for Jackson. If he can have the same success he had in his sophomore year, he's golden, but if he continues to drop off in productivity, his stock could drop considerably. In the end, he's still one of the best prospects in the draft and has the natural ability to succeed at the next level.

In the NFL, Jackson projects best as an OLB in the 3-4 defense, though he could be used as a RE in the 4-3. He may not be able to do things by himself very well and it'll take the right scheme and coaching to get the best out of him.

NFL Comparison: Bryan Thomas

Derrick Harvey | DE | Florida
Strengths: Extremely fast and athletic. Very quick off the snap and can beat the OT on the edge with ease. Tall and lean with long arms that can be used for getting to the QB without actually getting to the QB. Great hand and foot work.
Weaknesses: Very raw and has a limited pass-rushing repertoire. Is a liability against the run. Needs to gain weight and get stronger without losing explosiveness.
Notes: Had a fantastic game in the National Championship against Ohio State. Very productive with 35 tackles and 11 sacks. Might end up being a better fit at OLB in the 3-4, but could play DE in the Tampa-2. Reminds you of Javon Kearse.

Vernon Gholston | DE | Ohio State
Strengths: Has absolutely ridiculous upper-body strength for the position and will sometimes look more like a NT. Easily knocks offensive tackles on their heels and beats them across the edge. Is superb against the run and is very instinctive when penetrating the backfield.
Weaknesses: Still has yet to develop into the pass-rusher his size and stats would indicate. Still very raw in terms of pass-rushing, but improved as the year went on.
Notes: 2006 season accounted for 49 tackles, 8.5 sacks, and 15 tackles for losses. Fast-rising star that plays for an excellent program for developing top-notch defensive players. Will remind you a lot of Shawne Merriman. Might project best as an OLB in the 3-4 but could easily play at either DE position in the 4-3.

Chris Long | DE | Virginia
Strengths: Displays a tough, nasty mean streak. Consistently fights through double-teams and puts pressure on the QB. Probably the best run-stopping DE in the nation. Very stout at the point with good upper-body strength. Pretty good moves and handwork that help him fight through traffic. Has tons of experience playing in the 3-4 (that is UVA's scheme) and will transition well.
Weaknesses: Not a speed end by any means, but that's because of the position he plays. Needs to add more weight to his tall frame. Not very quick and agile, but explosive enough to surge through the line.
Notes: Recorded 5 sacks and 12 tackles for losses in 2006. Son of Hall of Famer Howie Long. Will rank much higher if he can add more weight and bulk. Similar to Shaun Ellis in that he's a perfect fit at DE in the 3-4, UT in the 4-3, or Base DE in the 4-3.

Defensive Tackles

Glenn Dorsey | DT | Louisiana State
If I were to wrap-up Glenn Dorsey's letter of recommendation in one sentence, it would be: Glenn Dorsey is the most dominating college player I've ever seen.

Had Dorsey come out in the 2007 draft, he would've easily challenged Amobi Okoye for the top-DT spot, and likely would've been picked higher. Despite such inevitable fortunes, Dorsey opted to come back to school for his senior season and compete for a national championship. Smart move? We'll see.

Talent-wise, Dorsey is the best DT in the nation. He's stout at the point of attack with a low base and is extremely quick off the snap. More often than not he's the first defensive player to penetrate the backfield. Dorsey has a habit of flushing quarterbacks out of the pocket and causing quite a disturbance in both the pass and run game, making him a huge playmaker. Linebackers and defensive ends love him, as he always forces the ball carrier to kick outside right where they can tackle him. At 6'2" and 300 pounds, Dorsey is one of the best pass-rushers in college football, which is rare for a DT. Although his best strength is blasting through the line to rush the passer, Dorsey is also phenomenal at holding his ground, controlling the line of scrimmage, and stuffing the run. Dorsey's toughness will go without question. Having played through nagging leg injuries, he was still able to earn All-American honors in only his first year as a starter, which brings us to his only negative: experience. Dorsey lacks experience, but if he can carry his success into the 2007 season and beyond, he'll be a household name in no-time.

In the NFL Dorsey projects best as a UT in the 4-3/Tampa-2 defensive scheme. There's a small chance of seeing him as a DE in the 3-4, but it would be a waste of his immense talent.

NFL Comparison: Warren Sapp

Frank Okam | DT | Texas
Strengths: Possesses a rare combination of size and agility. Very quick off the snap with an excellent burst. Very strong at the point of attack. Gets low on offensive linemen with a wide base and rarely loses balance.
Weaknesses: Often seems lazy and takes off on far too many plays. Has yet to tap into his full potential, but has shown flashes of brilliance. Is more of a ground-holder than a penetrator.
Notes: Comes from a program with an excellent history of sending DTs to the NFL. Projects extremely well in the NFL as a 4-3 NT or 3-4 DE and reminds you a lot of Richard Seymour when he's at the top of his game.

DeMario Pressley | DT | North Carolina State
Strengths: Excellent agility and burst. Is very quick off the snap and is tough to get low on. Is very smart and instinctive once he reaches the backfield and is able to locate and bring down the ball carrier with ease. Despite not collecting many sacks, he's definitely one of the best pass-rushers in the nation, and probably the second best pass-rushing DT.
Weaknesses: He's never been the focal point of a defense, though that will change this year. Will have to prove he can dominate without the help from his supporting cast.
Notes: 2006 stats include 32 tackles and 2 sacks. Very similar to Glenn Dorsey but not quite as dominant and nowhere near his talent level. Has the potential to be a DE in the 3-4 but is a much better fit as a UT in the 4-3.

Linebackers

Xavier Adibi | LB | Virginia Tech
Strengths: Versatility to play either OLB or S in the NFL. Has unbelievable speed for the position with fluid hips and a burst to close. Plays with a mean streak and is very smart and instinctive, rarely getting fooled. Has a wide frame to add bulk to if he plays LB, and has fantastic hands to help him play S. Tremendous upside.
Weaknesses: Is very small and gets easily manhandled by offensive linemen. If he plays LB, he'll play strictly on the weakside.
Notes: Had 82 tackles and 3 sacks in 2006. Has the versatility to play LB or S at the next level, but that will depend on who drafts him. In Cover-2 schemes he's a linebacker, but anywhere else he could easily play safety.

Keith Rivers | LB | Southern California
Strengths: Extremely fast for the position and in general. Possesses sideline-to-sideline speed and agility and is a fantastic tackler. Excels in coverage and could hold his own in the passing game. Is a pretty good pass-rusher, but needs to have support from the line.
Weaknesses: Doesn't have great size, but doesn't need it for the position he'll be playing. Is strictly a weakside linebacker because of this. He might look better than he actually is thanks to his strong supporting cast.
Notes: 85 tackles, 7.5 for losses, and 2 sacks in 2006. Looks to have another big year this season. Could be overrated and over-hyped due to his surroundings, but you can't deny his talent.

Rey Maualuga | LB | Southern California
Strengths: All-around great athlete. Fast, quick, agile, strong, hits hard, and has a burst to close. Spectacular size at 6'3", 250 pounds. Great run-stopper and pass-rusher. Very versatile and can play a number of different roles in a number of different schemes.
Weaknesses: Lacks in experience. He was never a full-time starter. He's a liability in pass coverage, though he has time to work on it. Still very raw.
Notes: 2006 stats include 78 tackles and 2 sacks. Blue chip prospect who does everything right and has a high motor. Could be this year's Lawrence Timmons and be a late-riser and end up being the first or second LB taken.

Dan Connor | LB | Penn State
Strengths: Has a thick, wide frame and used it to bulk-up last season. Big playmaker. Displays good body control and fluid hips, allowing him to have a near-perfect tackling technique. Is a down-hill runner and has a burst to close.
Weaknesses: Lacks overall athleticism but still finds ways to be incredibly productive. Not very good in coverage and needs to improve in the area if he wants to be considered a versatile threat.
Notes: Was overshadowed by Paul Posluszny but is most likely a better pro prospect. We'll see how well he does this year with a weaker supporting cast. If he plays well, he could easily move up to #1 or #2 on the LB rankings.

Jasper Brinkley | LB | South Carolina
Strengths: Fantastic size at 6'2", 260 pounds. Has an extremely thick frame. Surprisingly good agility and lateral movement for a man his size. Incredibly strong and plays with a nasty mean streak. Can fight through traffic and big offensive linemen and is a force in the running game. Is versatile enough to possibly play DE in certain schemes. Excellent blitzer.
Weaknesses: Not very fast despite his agility. Still needs to work on his coverage skills.
Notes: In 2006 he recorded 107, 14.5 tackles for losses, and 5 sacks. A man with very few (maybe just one) weakness, Brinkley looks like a stellar prospect. If he runs a good 40 (4.6?) he could end being a top-10 pick.

Vince Hall | LB | Virginia Tech
Strengths: Incredibly smart and insticntive and is known for locating the ball carrier before the ball carrier has a chance to make a move. Very quick despite his size and is a reliable tackler. Bluechip prospect who does everything right. Is a fierce inside the box. Plays bigger than he is.
Weaknesses: Not very big (6'0", 240 pounds), but has a wide, thick frame. Doesn't have great speed and has some trouble in coverage.
Notes: Had 128 tackles and 10.5 tackles for losses in 2006. What he lacks in size and tools, he makes up for in intangibles. Will have to have very good workouts to be drafted high, but he has tons of potential.

James Laurinaitis | LB | Ohio State
Strengths: Very good size at 6'3", 244 pounds. Moves well in the box and displays fluid hips. Very good in coverage and is a natural against the pass. Has good overall athleticism and has good speed and agility.
Weaknesses: Not very good against the run. Gets manhandled by big linemen and can't fight through traffic. Not much of a playmaker behind the line of scrimmage and lacks a mean streak.
Notes: In 2006 he had 115 tackles, 8 tackles for losses, and 4 sacks. Winner of the Nagurski Award. Not nearly as good as tOSU fans and highlight reels would indicate and is overrated. Still a good prospect nonetheless.