Scout.com 2008 NFL Draft Rankings

[columbiaskinny]

By Tom Marino
Posted Aug 23, 2007

Scout.com is launching our 2008 NFL Draft Rankings today, which will be updated frequently through draft weekend next April. We've loaded up the top 100 senior draft prospects for the launch. Watch for more feature articles announcing the addition of more players, including the top junior prospects who may declare for the draft, right here at Scout.com.

The 2008 NFL college football draft is still some 250 days away, but not far enough for us at Scout.com to give our assessment as to the relative strengths and weaknesses of the draft-eligible seniors by position -- along with taking a peak at the top ten preseason prospects.

Four defensive corners are included in our projected preseason first round, while 12 overall are listed in our top 100 prospects. That may sound like a representative group, but I'm sure personnel directors throughout the league are lamenting and consider this group as a whole "thin."

I can't stress the importance of the cornerback position enough with teams now carrying as many as eight corners on their active roster. With all of the sub-packages employed in today's pro game throughout the league, you can better understand the position's importance in the mind of NFL general managers, coaches and scouts.

Terrell Thomas out of USC, Alabama's Simeon Castille -- the son of former NFL star Jeremiah Castille -- ball-hawking DeJaun Tribble of Boston College, and Arizona's Antoine Cason lead the way. But keep your eye on Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie from Tennessee State, an impressive looking athlete who accounted for himself well this past spring at the Penn Relays -- the largest early-season track and field meet in the country. And also watch out for Zack Bowman, a big athletic match-up corner who was injured and subsequently redshirted for Nebraska in 2006.

Look for as many as 14 corners to be selected on the first day of the draft alone, with possible juniors Aqib Talib of Kansas, Randy Phillips from the University of Miami, Malcolm Jenkins from Ohio State, Justin King of Penn State, and Brandon Flowers from Virginia Tech receiving more than just a passing glance from professional scouts throughout the league this fall.

The second most critical position on the defensive side of the football is unquestionably the defensive end position. In simple terms, in order to have a successful, cohesive, defensive unit, a club must be able to put consistent sustained pressure on the quarterback, thus hastening his delivery (upsetting his throwing timing), with the ultimate goal being to put the quarterback on his back.

The four top senior prospects at this position are truly outstanding football players who have a chance to impact early at the position. I absolutely love Chris Long from the University of Virginia. The son of Hall of Fame member Howie Long, in many way I see a lot of his dad in this player's game. TCU's Tommy Blake and Auburn's Quentin Groves are two other player who will hear their names called early on the last weekend of April in 2008. Three of the four first-round projections at this position are amongst our top ten senior prospects, and with a solid senior campaign Lawrence Jackson of USC has a legitimate chance of joining the group. Kendall Langford from Hampton has some real natural tools and athletic ability, but is going to have to play with more intensity (dance every dance), and needs a great deal of work on his playing technique.

Looking for a potential impact junior at the position? If so, then look no further then Miami's Calais Campbell, Vernon Gholston from Ohio State, and Clemson's pass rusher Phillip Merling, three young men with a first-rate tools.

As is the case with virtually every season, the safety position has always been a deep position in terms of numbers, but not in terms of star power. Such is the case with the safety group of 2008. Jonathan Hefney of the University of Tennessee, Tierre Green from Nebraska, Darien Williams of Oklahoma, Jamar Adams -- the latest in a long line of University of Michigan safeties -- and Arizona State's Josh Barrett all have a chance to be the first inside defender off the board, but up to this juncture, none have pulled away from the rest of the pack. Juniors Kenny Phillips from Miami and Nic Harris from Oklahoma are two players that with a solid season have a chance to contend for that top spot.

Like their outside counterparts, the defensive tackle position -- although lacking in depth -- has some outstanding prospects led by my choice as the top senior player in the nation, LSU's Glen Dorsey. Undersized Sedrick Ellis from USC is a disruptive, one-man wrecking crew with outstanding quickness and balance. And DeMario Pressley, another potential high first-round selection, will soon become the latest in a long line of Wolfpack defenders to take his game to the professional ranks. Jeff Owens of Georgia and Roy Miller from the University of Texas are two junior defensive tackles whom the professional ranks covet. They are big and have a great deal of talent.

But the very best of the senior and junior group after Dorsey might actually be a freshman from little Shaw University in Raleigh, NC by the name of Callahan Bright. Signed originally by Florida State, he was ruled ineligible by the NCAA clearing house prior to the start of the 2005 season, and after briefly attending Hargrave Military Academy disappeared from the football landscape. Earlier this month he reappeared and enrolled at Shaw. And based on his preseason workouts, one respected pro scout has already called him the most dominant inside defender he has seen in the last decade of scouting. It is unlikely that Bright will challenge the NFL eligibility rule in 2008 (he is still very raw, has been away from the game for two full seasons and needs to improve hand use significantly), but if and when he does, he has the ability to become a top professional for a very long time.

After two lean seasons, it now appears that the linebacker group has both talent and depth to offer in 2008. In my opinion as many as six senior linebackers have a chance to be selected in the top round of next spring's player draft, and if Ohio State's James Laurinaitis, Sean Lee out of "Linebacker U" (Penn State), or Brian Cushing from USC decide to forego their final season of eligibility, the ranks could well increase significantly. With seniors like Keith Rivers out of USC, Dan Connor from Penn State, Philip Wheeler of Georgia Tech, Xavier Adibi from Virginia Tech, LSU's Ali Highsmith and the aforementioned, I wouldn't be opposed to playing a few double-headers.

Tomorrow, I'll share my analysis of the top senior offensive players in this year's draft, but here's a sneak preview as two of them are in with my Preseason Top Ten Picks overall out of this year's seniors:

1. Glenn Dorsey, DT - LSU
Shows excellent initial get-off quickness with the ability to push and collapse the pocket. Also shows excellent gap quickness. Plays on his feet (gets over trash well). Has excellent playing range. Good instincts and ability to locate the football.

2. Chris Long, DE - Virginia
Plays all-out, all of the time. I love his intensity, he's an explosive player who plays with good pad level (leverage). I like his stride length and ability to trim the edge as an outside pass rusher. Shows a closing burst.

3. Early Doucet, WR - LSU
Has both speed and quickness. Can close the cushion on his open releases quickly. Gets in and out of a route, showing good feet and the ability to adjust to the ball, particularly on vertical routes. Good, but not exceptional hands. A true vertical threat.

4. Sedrick Ellis, DT – USC
Not as tall as one would like, but I like his athletic skills, inside rush potential, and feel he is a physical tackler. Good playing range, pursuit, and angles. I like his intensity level. Good ability to key and diagnose and locate the football. I see a lot of Tamba Hali (the way he plays the game) in this player.

5. Jake Long, OT - Michigan
Has rare size and plays with power. Impressive ability to get off and engage inline. Good short-setting skills and footwork particularly for a big man. Good blocking range, adequate knee bend.

6. Quentin Groves, DE - Auburn
A quick-twitch athlete with rare speed and playing range. Showed an impressive burst to the football, a real threat as a speed rusher. Also showed a quick inside counter move. Has the athletic skills to possibly project to an outside backer position. Can be run at some, but this is a player who must be accounted for on every play, a Manny Lawson-type athlete and player.

7. Keith Rivers, LB - USC
I like his size and stature, he's physical, tough, and aggressive. Like the way he takes on his opponent, locates and moves to the football. Good playing range and striking power.

8. Limas Sweed, WR - Texas
This player only needs to become more consistent catching the football and to protect the ball better after the catch. Is a matchup nightmare and was very effective in the red zone. Better vertically than on his underneath routes.

9. Tommy Blake, DE - TCU
Former running back with excellent pass rushing potential. Has very good snap reaction and ability. Very quick to get to the top of his rush and trim the edge. Plays with bent knees, can counter and close to the ball. Needs to play hard all of the time.

10. Terrell Thomas, CB - USC
This player is a big, physical corner with athletic ability, feet, supple hips and the ability to turn and go. Can hit a point and close underneath. Can matchup physically against big receivers, competes hard. Has adequate ball skills.

http://broncos.scout.com/a.z?s=101&p...40813162&ATT=5

The rankings: http://nflexperts.scout.com/a.z?s=21...=4&pid=88&pg=2

[Broncosinindy]

Great stuff skinny. man i really should buy a subscription to Scout.com

[lex]

Great stuff skinny. man i really should buy a subscription to Scout.com

Pos Overall
Rank Rating Name Yr Ht/Wt/40 College Home
DT 1 Glenn Dorsey SR 6-2/299/- LSU Gonzales, LA
DE 2 Chris Long SR 6-4/284/- Virginia Charlottesville, VA
WR 3 Early Doucet SR 6-1/210/- LSU Saint Martinville, LA
DT 4 Sedrick Ellis SR 6-1/285/- USC Chino, CA
OT 5 Jake Long SR 6-7/313/- Michigan Lapeer, MI
DE 6 Quentin Groves SR 6-3/254/- Auburn Greenville, MS
OLB 7 Keith Rivers SR 6-3/220/- USC Lake Mary, FL
WR 8 Limas Sweed SR 6-5/219/- Texas Brenham, TX
DE 9 Tommy Blake SR 6-3/252/- TCU Aransas Pass, TX
CB 10 Terrell Thomas SR 6-1/195/- USC Rancho Cucamonga, CA
DT 11 Demario Pressley SR 6-3/295/- North Carolina State Greensboro, NC
WR 12 Adarius Bowman SR 6-4/220/- Oklahoma State Chattanooga, TN
OLB 13 Dan Connor SR 6-3/233/- Penn State Wallingford, PA
OT 14 Sam Baker SR 6-5/305/- USC Tustin, CA
CB 15 Simeon Castille SR 6-1/193/- Alabama Birmingham, AL
QB 16 Chad Henne SR 6-3/225/- Michigan West Lawn, PA
OT 17 Chris Williams SR 6-6/320/- Vanderbilt Baton Rouge, LA
QB 18 Brian Brohm SR 6-4/226/- Louisville Louisville, KY
MLB 19 Philip Wheeler SR 6-2/230/- Georgia Tech Columbus, GA
OLB 20 Xavier Adibi SR 6-2/236/- Virginia Tech Hampton, VA
OT 21 Gosder Cherilus SR 6-7/319/- Boston College Somerville, MA
DE 22 Lawrence Jackson SR 6-5/265/- USC Inglewood, CA
QB 23 Colt Brennan SR 6-3/201/- Hawaii Santa Ana, CA
S 24 Jonathan Hefney SR 5-9/185/- Tennessee Chatham, VA
CB 25 DeJuan Tribble SR 5-9/190/- Boston College Cincinnati, OH
OLB 26 Ali Highsmith SR 6-1/225/- LSU Miami, FL
RB 27 Mike Hart SR 5-9/196/- Michigan Nedrow, NY
DT 28 Frank Okam SR 6-5/320/- Texas Dallas, TX
TE 29 Martin Rucker SR 6-6/255/- Missouri St Joseph, MO
OG 30 Eric Young SR 6-4/305/- Tennessee Union, SC
TE 31 Fred Davis SR 6-4/245/- USC Toledo, OH
CB 32 Antoine Cason SR 6-0/185/- Arizona Los Alamitos, CA
MLB 33 Jasper Brinkley SR 6-2/262/- South Carolina Thomson, GA
CB 34 Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie SR 6-2/182/- Tennessee State Bradenton, FL
RB 35 Allen Patrick SR 6-0/191/- Oklahoma Conway, SC
OLB 36 Malik Jackson SR 6-2/230/- Louisville Dunwoody, GA
TE 37 John Carlson SR 6-6/255/- Notre Dame Litchfield, MN
QB 38 Andre Woodson SR 6-5/230/- Kentucky Radcliff, KY
CB 39 Chevis Jackson SR 6-0/190/- LSU Mobile, AL
MLB 40 Vince Hall SR 6-0/236/- Virginia Tech Chesapeake, VA
S 41 Tierre Green SR 6-1/200/- Nebraska Omaha, NE
OT 42 Tony Hills SR 6-6/305/- Texas Houston, TX
WR 43 Keenan Burton SR 6-2/195/- Kentucky Louisville, KY
RB 44 Ryan Torain SR 6-1/213/- Arizona State Shawnee Mission, KS
S 45 Darien Williams SR 6-0/197/- Oklahoma Mesquite, TX
DT 46 Joseph Bryant SR 6-5/322/- Texas A&M Jasper, TX
OT 47 Mike McGlynn SR 6-5/315/- Pittsburgh Youngstown, OH
WR 48 Eddie Royal SR 5-10/171/- Virginia Tech Chantilly, VA
OT 49 Barry Richardson SR 6-7/330/- Clemson Mt Pleasant, SC
WR 50 Harry Douglas SR 5-11/170/- Louisville Jonesboro, GA
<< Page 2
Pos Overall
Rank Rating Name Yr Ht/Wt/40 College Home
CB 51 Zack Bowman SR 6-2/200/- Nebraska Anchorage, AK
C 52 John Sullivan SR 6-4/290/- Notre Dame Greenwich, CT
S 53 Jamar Adams SR 6-2/212/- Michigan Matthews, NC
FB 54 Peyton Hillis SR 6-2/243/- Arkansas Conway, AR
MLB 55 Jonathan Goff SR 6-4/235/- Vanderbilt Danvers, MA
WR 56 Donnie Avery SR 5-11.5/190/- Houston Alief, TX
OG 57 Shannon Tevaga SR 6-3/324/- UCLA La Mirada, CA
WR 58 Andre Caldwell SR 6-0/198/- Florida Tampa, FL
OLB 59 Ezra Butler-Beaton SR 6-2/255/- Nevada Calabasas, CA
QB 60 Matt Ryan SR 6-5/205/- Boston College Philadelphia, PA
S 61 Josh Barrett SR 6-3/231/- Arizona State Reno, NV
RB 62 Tashard Choice SR 6-1/205/- Georgia Tech Lovejoy, GA
DT 63 Andre Fluellen SR 6-4/285/- Florida State Cartersville, GA
DE 64 Chris Ellis SR 6-5/250/- Virginia Tech Hampton, VA
WR 65 Paul Hubbard SR 6-4/218/- Wisconsin Colorado Springs, CO
TE 66 Jacob Tamme SR 6-5/220/- Kentucky Danville, KY
QB 67 Erik Ainge SR 6-6/220/- Tennessee Hillsboro, OR
S 68 Quintin Demps SR 6-1/205/- UTEP San Antonio, TX
S 69 Dennis Keyes SR 6-2/199/- UCLA Van Nuys, CA
OLB 70 Tavares Gooden SR 6-2/238/- Miami (FL) Fort Lauderdale, FL
CB 71 Jonathan Zenon SR 6-0/180/- LSU Breaux Bridge, LA
S 72 Chris Horton SR 6-1/216/- UCLA New Orleans, LA
CB 73 Mike Jenkins SR 6-0/200/- South Florida Bradenton, FL
DE 74 Kendall Langford SR 6-6/294/- Hampton Petersburg, VA
S 75 Tommy Zbikowski SR 6-0/207/- Notre Dame Buffalo Grove, IL
QB 76 John David Booty SR 6-3/215/- USC Shreveport, LA
C 77 Cody Wallace SR 6-4/296/- Texas A&M Cuero, TX
OG 78 Will Arnold SR 6-4/319/- LSU Centreville, MS
OT 79 Kirk Barton SR 6-6/300/- Ohio State Massillon, OH
MLB 80 J. Leman SR 6-3/243/- Illinois Champaign, IL
OLB 81 Bo Ruud SR 6-3/235/- Nebraska Lincoln, NE
WR 82 D.J. Hall SR 6-3/186/- Alabama Fort Walton Beach, FL
P 83 Ken DeBauche SR 6-2/214/- Wisconsin Green Bay, WI
RB 84 Yvenson Bernard SR 5-9/202/- Oregon State Boca Raton, FL
OG 85 Drew Radovich SR 6-5/305/- USC Mission Viejo, CA
WR 86 Dorien Bryant SR 5-10/175/- Purdue Fork Union, VA
OLB 87 Larry Grant SR 6-3/225/- Ohio State Norcross, GA
OLB 88 Shawn Crable SR 6-5/245/- Michigan Massillon, OH
S 89 Tony Cade SR 6-2/205/- Oklahoma Lewisville, TX
C 90 Steven Justice SR 6-4/284/- Wake Forest New Smyrna Beach, FL
CB 91 Dwight Lowery SR 6-1/185/- San Jose State
DE 92 Darrell Robertson SR 6-5/240/- Georgia Tech Jonesboro, GA
CB 93 Tracy Porter SR 5-11/185/- Indiana Port Allen, LA
OT 94 John Greco SR 6-5/325/- Toledo Youngstown, OH
TE 95 Tom Santi SR 6-5/250/- Virginia Nashville, TN
OG 96 Adam Kraus SR 6-6/296/- Michigan New Orleans, LA
QB 97 Matt Flynn SR 6-3/227/- LSU Tyler, TX
CB 98 Glenn Sharpe SR 6-0/185/- Miami (FL) Miami, FL
S 99 Roger Williams SR 6-1/210/- Florida State Warner Robins, GA
S 100 Eric Brock SR 6-1/209/- Auburn Alexander City, AL

You're welcome.

[WABronco]

WR 12 Adarius Bowman SR 6-4/220/- Oklahoma State Chattanooga, TN

YES!

[lex]

Wow, Harvey, the DE from UF isnt even on the list. A lot of people have him as a top 30 pick and a top 4 DE.

[lex]

Pos Pos
Rank Rating Name Yr Ht/Wt/40 College Home
QB 1 Chad Henne SR 6-3/225/- Michigan West Lawn, PA
QB 2 Brian Brohm SR 6-4/226/- Louisville Louisville, KY
QB 3 Colt Brennan SR 6-3/201/- Hawaii Santa Ana, CA
QB 4 Andre Woodson SR 6-5/230/- Kentucky Radcliff, KY
QB 5 Matt Ryan SR 6-5/205/- Boston College Philadelphia, PA
QB 6 Erik Ainge SR 6-6/220/- Tennessee Hillsboro, OR
QB 7 John David Booty SR 6-3/215/- USC Shreveport, LA
QB 8 Matt Flynn SR 6-3/227/- LSU Tyler, TX

Pos Pos
Rank Rating Name Yr Ht/Wt/40 College Home
RB 1 Mike Hart SR 5-9/196/- Michigan Nedrow, NY
RB 2 Allen Patrick SR 6-0/191/- Oklahoma Conway, SC
RB 3 Ryan Torain SR 6-1/213/- Arizona State Shawnee Mission, KS
RB 4 Tashard Choice SR 6-1/205/- Georgia Tech Lovejoy, GA
RB 5 Yvenson Bernard SR 5-9/202/- Oregon State Boca Raton, FL

Pos Pos
Rank Rating Name Yr Ht/Wt/40 College Home
WR 1 Early Doucet SR 6-1/210/- LSU Saint Martinville, LA
WR 2 Limas Sweed SR 6-5/219/- Texas Brenham, TX
WR 3 Adarius Bowman SR 6-4/220/- Oklahoma State Chattanooga, TN
WR 4 Keenan Burton SR 6-2/195/- Kentucky Louisville, KY
WR 5 Eddie Royal SR 5-10/171/- Virginia Tech Chantilly, VA
WR 6 Harry Douglas SR 5-11/170/- Louisville Jonesboro, GA
WR 7 Donnie Avery SR 5-11.5/190/- Houston Alief, TX
WR 8 Andre Caldwell SR 6-0/198/- Florida Tampa, FL
WR 9 Paul Hubbard SR 6-4/218/- Wisconsin Colorado Springs, CO
WR 10 D.J. Hall SR 6-3/186/- Alabama Fort Walton Beach, FL
WR 11 Dorien Bryant SR 5-10/175/- Purdue Fork Union, VA

Pos Pos
Rank Rating Name Yr Ht/Wt/40 College Home
TE 1 Martin Rucker SR 6-6/255/- Missouri St Joseph, MO
TE 2 Fred Davis SR 6-4/245/- USC Toledo, OH
TE 3 John Carlson SR 6-6/255/- Notre Dame Litchfield, MN
TE 4 Jacob Tamme SR 6-5/220/- Kentucky Danville, KY
TE 5 Tom Santi SR 6-5/250/- Virginia Nashville, TN

[lex]

Pos Pos
Rank Rating Name Yr Ht/Wt/40 College Home
OT 1 Jake Long SR 6-7/313/- Michigan Lapeer, MI
OT 2 Sam Baker SR 6-5/305/- USC Tustin, CA
OT 3 Chris Williams SR 6-6/320/- Vanderbilt Baton Rouge, LA
OT 4 Gosder Cherilus SR 6-7/319/- Boston College Somerville, MA
OT 5 Tony Hills SR 6-6/305/- Texas Houston, TX
OT 6 Mike McGlynn SR 6-5/315/- Pittsburgh Youngstown, OH
OT 7 Barry Richardson SR 6-7/330/- Clemson Mt Pleasant, SC
OT 8 Kirk Barton SR 6-6/300/- Ohio State Massillon, OH
OT 9 John Greco SR 6-5/325/- Toledo Youngstown, OH

Pos Pos
Rank Rating Name Yr Ht/Wt/40 College Home
OG 1 Eric Young SR 6-4/305/- Tennessee Union, SC
OG 2 Shannon Tevaga SR 6-3/324/- UCLA La Mirada, CA
OG 3 Will Arnold SR 6-4/319/- LSU Centreville, MS
OG 4 Drew Radovich SR 6-5/305/- USC Mission Viejo, CA
OG 5 Adam Kraus SR 6-6/296/- Michigan New Orleans, LA

Pos Pos
Rank Rating Name Yr Ht/Wt/40 College Home
C 1 John Sullivan SR 6-4/290/- Notre Dame Greenwich, CT
C 2 Cody Wallace SR 6-4/296/- Texas A&M Cuero, TX
C 3 Steven Justice SR 6-4/284/- Wake Forest New Smyrna Beach, FL

[lex]

Pos Pos
Rank Rating Name Yr Ht/Wt/40 College Home
DT 1 Glenn Dorsey SR 6-2/299/- LSU Gonzales, LA
DT 2 Sedrick Ellis SR 6-1/285/- USC Chino, CA
DT 3 Demario Pressley SR 6-3/295/- North Carolina State Greensboro, NC
DT 4 Frank Okam SR 6-5/320/- Texas Dallas, TX
DT 5 Joseph Bryant SR 6-5/322/- Texas A&M Jasper, TX
DT 6 Andre Fluellen SR 6-4/285/- Florida State Cartersville, GA

Pos Pos
Rank Rating Name Yr Ht/Wt/40 College Home
DE 1 Chris Long SR 6-4/284/- Virginia Charlottesville, VA
DE 2 Quentin Groves SR 6-3/254/- Auburn Greenville, MS
DE 3 Tommy Blake SR 6-3/252/- TCU Aransas Pass, TX
DE 4 Lawrence Jackson SR 6-5/265/- USC Inglewood, CA
DE 5 Chris Ellis SR 6-5/250/- Virginia Tech Hampton, VA
DE 6 Kendall Langford SR 6-6/294/- Hampton Petersburg, VA
DE 7 Darrell Robertson SR 6-5/240/- Georgia Tech Jonesboro, GA

Pos Pos
Rank Rating Name Yr Ht/Wt/40 College Home
OLB 1 Keith Rivers SR 6-3/220/- USC Lake Mary, FL
OLB 2 Dan Connor SR 6-3/233/- Penn State Wallingford, PA
OLB 3 Xavier Adibi SR 6-2/236/- Virginia Tech Hampton, VA
OLB 4 Ali Highsmith SR 6-1/225/- LSU Miami, FL
OLB 5 Malik Jackson SR 6-2/230/- Louisville Dunwoody, GA
OLB 6 Ezra Butler-Beaton SR 6-2/255/- Nevada Calabasas, CA
OLB 7 Tavares Gooden SR 6-2/238/- Miami (FL) Fort Lauderdale, FL
OLB 8 Bo Ruud SR 6-3/235/- Nebraska Lincoln, NE
OLB 9 Larry Grant SR 6-3/225/- Ohio State Norcross, GA
OLB 10 Shawn Crable SR 6-5/245/- Michigan Massillon, OH

Pos Pos
Rank Rating Name Yr Ht/Wt/40 College Home
MLB 1 Philip Wheeler SR 6-2/230/- Georgia Tech Columbus, GA
MLB 2 Jasper Brinkley SR 6-2/262/- South Carolina Thomson, GA
MLB 3 Vince Hall SR 6-0/236/- Virginia Tech Chesapeake, VA
MLB 4 Jonathan Goff SR 6-4/235/- Vanderbilt Danvers, MA
MLB 5 J. Leman SR 6-3/243/- Illinois Champaign, IL

Pos Pos
Rank Rating Name Yr Ht/Wt/40 College Home
S 1 Jonathan Hefney SR 5-9/185/- Tennessee Chatham, VA
S 2 Tierre Green SR 6-1/200/- Nebraska Omaha, NE
S 3 Darien Williams SR 6-0/197/- Oklahoma Mesquite, TX
S 4 Jamar Adams SR 6-2/212/- Michigan Matthews, NC
S 5 Josh Barrett SR 6-3/231/- Arizona State Reno, NV
S 6 Quintin Demps SR 6-1/205/- UTEP San Antonio, TX
S 7 Dennis Keyes SR 6-2/199/- UCLA Van Nuys, CA
S 8 Chris Horton SR 6-1/216/- UCLA New Orleans, LA
S 9 Tommy Zbikowski SR 6-0/207/- Notre Dame Buffalo Grove, IL
S 10 Tony Cade SR 6-2/205/- Oklahoma Lewisville, TX
S 11 Roger Williams SR 6-1/210/- Florida State Warner Robins, GA
S 12 Eric Brock SR 6-1/209/- Auburn Alexander City, AL

Pos Pos
Rank Rating Name Yr Ht/Wt/40 College Home
CB 1 Terrell Thomas SR 6-1/195/- USC Rancho Cucamonga, CA
CB 2 Simeon Castille SR 6-1/193/- Alabama Birmingham, AL
CB 3 DeJuan Tribble SR 5-9/190/- Boston College Cincinnati, OH
CB 4 Antoine Cason SR 6-0/185/- Arizona Los Alamitos, CA
CB 5 Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie SR 6-2/182/- Tennessee State Bradenton, FL
CB 6 Chevis Jackson SR 6-0/190/- LSU Mobile, AL
CB 7 Zack Bowman SR 6-2/200/- Nebraska Anchorage, AK
CB 8 Jonathan Zenon SR 6-0/180/- LSU Breaux Bridge, LA
CB 9 Mike Jenkins SR 6-0/200/- South Florida Bradenton, FL
CB 10 Dwight Lowery SR 6-1/185/- San Jose State
CB 11 Tracy Porter SR 5-11/185/- Indiana Port Allen, LA
CB 12 Glenn Sharpe SR 6-0/185/- Miami (FL) Miami, FL

[Max Power]

Wow, Harvey, the DE from UF isnt even on the list. A lot of people have him as a top 30 pick and a top 4 DE.

It's a list for seniors, otherwise Phillips, Campbell, and Maualuga would surely be there too.

[lex]

It's a list for seniors, otherwise Phillips, Campbell, and Maualuga would surely be there too.

Yeah, I think everyone who has looked at the list has seen that its exclusively seniors. Thanks for pointing that out though.

[Dream]

WR 12 Adarius Bowman SR 6-4/220/- Oklahoma State Chattanooga, TN

YES!

You a big fan? He reminds me a lot of Walker. Age is a concern though.

[columbiaskinny]

Tom Marino Lead NFL Analyst, Scout.com
Posted Aug 24, 2007

The 2007 senior quarterback group is solid throughout in terms of numbers, but scouts and draft enthusiasts need to look at and closely scrutinize the type of throws, system of play, and characteristics of each individual athlete -- both on and off the field -- rather than just looking at their numbers. In order to become a true scout, one must be able ask and answer one seemingly simple question before putting his name on a report -- "Is it real, or is it Memorex?" In other words, is the person I have just watched capable in his own right? Or is he just the product of the system? In my opinion, NFL talent evaluators have made some very critical mistakes when evaluating players at the quarterback position which have totaled hundreds of millions of dollars in the last decade alone! Aside from the crazy money Major League Baseball clubs throw at mediocre starting pitchers or setup men, I know of no other business in the country where mediocrity is rewarded as it is in professional football.

For the record, I like Chad Henne of Michigan's size, arm, and I think he has surprising mobility for a big man. But his track record in big games is questionable, he appears to have some tunnel-vision and aside from Tom Brady, when was the last time the University of Michigan developed a top professional signal-caller?

I want to see Brian Brohm, the big, experienced, and productive signal-caller from Louisville throw the football down the field more consistently and effectively. In my mind, I've seen far too many shallow crosses, screens, delays, hitches, slip screens, and high-percentage throws to running backs and tight ends in the games I've viewed. Based on my exposure, I didn't see him as having a particularly strong throwing arm.

Hawaii's Colt Brennan has a funky throwing delivery (so did Philip Rivers) and made virtually all of his throws from the gun. But I've got to tell you, his skills and playing demeanor really intrigue me. He has no fear, and believes he will get the job done with the game in the balance.

Matt Ryan from Boston College has a nice stroke and has been well-schooled. If he continues to make the type of strides he has made over the last two years, he has a real chance of passing over all of his senior counterparts. Kentucky's Andre Woodson has everything you look for physically at the position but he hasn't done it consistently over his career for the Wildcats. The only knock I had on him was his ability to get the ball out quickly. But he does have talent and I really look for him to put up some big numbers in 2007. If LSU's Matt Flynn can hit his stride quickly in 2007, he also has the skills to really surprise and move up among this year's group of QBs.

Junior Chase Holbrook from New Mexico State has excellent size (built like a tight end) and like the aforementioned Colt Brennan, put up some very impressive numbers for passing guru Hal Mumme, but so did another Mumme protégée by the name of Tim Couch at the University of Kentucky in 1998. In fairness to Holbrook, this writer has yet to see him perform either live or on tape, so I am basing his relative value at this time strictly on his incredible passing numbers (396-566 for 4,619 yards, 70.0% completion rate - 34 TDs - 9 INTs). Ben Olsen of UCLA -- by way of BYU -- can really spin the ball, but if he is to be given some early draft consideration, he must prove to the pro scouts he can stay healthy and put up the kind of numbers that were expected of him before he left school for two seasons to complete his LDS mission.

The offensive tackle position does not have an Orlando Pace, a Walter Jones or a Jonathan Ogden, but is solid with good depth. Upwards of five players have a chance of being selected in the top round with Michigan wide-body Jake Long leading the way. A player to watch this fall is Boston College's Gosder Cherilus who hails from my hometown of Somerville, MA. Cherilus is quite obviously a massive man (6'7, 319 pounds) who in terms of size can block out the sun. In 2007 he moves from the right to left side, and if he continues to show steady improvement he could well turn out to be something very special (Go Highlanders)!

John Sullivan of Notre Dame heads up the always lean offensive center position which includes only three players in the mythical top 100 rankings. Texas A&M veteran Cody Wallace and Wake Forest' Steve Justice have both played a lot of football over their college careers and should become solid professionals.

At offensive guard, another thin position in terms of top prospects, the versatile Eric Young from the University of Tennessee leads the way. Shannon Tevaga from UCLA, Will Arnold from LSU, USC's Drew Radovich, and Michigan tough-guy Adam Kraus are all solid prospects -- although unlikely to crack the top round. Former BYU freshman starter Ofa Mohetau, transferred to pass happy Texas Tech U, but appears to have entered college football's witness protection program. He had some physical skills and if he resurfaces this season, he may well be one to watch.

The receiver group doesn't have anyone with the skills of a Calvin Johnson, but I believe there are some people in this group who could well become front-line receivers quickly. After sharing the spotlight with not one, but two first-round selections last season, LSU's Early Doucet enters the 2007 season with very high expectations. He is explosive, and I like his ability to adjust to the deep ball. Texas' Limas Sweed has his detractors but his great size and speed will create many mismatches at both the college and professional level.

Although Oklahoma State's Adarius Bowman does not have racehorse speed, he does possess excellent hands and has been a very productive player since transferring from the Univesity of North Carolina. Like Sweed, Bowman's size and leaping ability give him some real advantages, particularly when working versus man coverage. Kentucky's Keenan Burton, Virginia Tech's Eddie Royal, Loiusville's Harry Douglas, and Houston's Donnie Avery are the best of the rest. They should all become solid, productive, professional players quickly.

He quit football in 2005 to concentrate solely on his track & field career, but proactive NFL scouts and draft enthusiasts everywhere have not forgotten the name of former LSU receiver Xavier Carter. In 2006, the Palm Bay, Florida prep football and track star ran the third-fastest time in history in the 200M and is widely considered today to hold the mythical title of "The World's Fastest Human."

As a group, the tight end position is not deep, but talented. Missouri' Martin Rucker, Southern Cal's Fred Davis, Jacob Tamme from the University of Kentucky and Notre Dame's John Carlson are all big, athletic athletes with excellent receiving skills. Which one of them is the most complete is not readily known at this juncture, but all have a chance to develop into front-line performers at the professional level. Texas A&M's giant junior tight end, Martellus Bennett, also has a great deal of ability and his progress will be followed closely by the "pay for play" evaluators.

The senior running back position is better overall then last season's group, but is somewhat flawed. Mike Hart from the University of Michigan is a talented player and one tough hombre, but he is a "little guy" -- and little guys at this position have a history of not holding up physically in the NFL's "Land of The Giants." I also was a tad disappointed in his vision. Allen Patrick from the University of Oklahoma flashed some very impressive skills as a replacement for the injured Adrian Peterson in 2006, but his ability to handle the full load over an entire season has yet to be determined.

The rest of the senior group shows promise, but will need to stay healthy and step up big time during their senior campaigns. It's an adequate group overall -- but wait, the junior class of ball carriers, led by Darren McFadden from the University of Arkansas is among the best I have seen in years!!!

McFadden, last season's Heisman runner-up, is -- at this stage of his development -- on par with any and all of the greats to have ever lined up at the position at the college level. He is explosive, instinctive, and has enough juice to take it to the house every time he touches the football. Look for him to be the number one selection in the country should he choose to pack it in at the end of the 2007 season. West Virginia's Steve Slaton, explosive little men Antone Smith from Florida St and Ray Rice of Rutgers, and -- if you can believe this -- McFadden' backup Felix Jones (who in 2006 ran for 1,168 on just 154 touches for an amazing 7.6 yard per carry average), are all quality backs who will make an impact at the professional level very quickly.

http://broncos.scout.com/a.z?s=101&p=2&c=671677

[WABronco]

You a big fan? He reminds me a lot of Walker. Age is a concern though.

Yea this is like the 4th year in a row that I'm pulling for a wideout.

Age? Won't he be like 22 or 23 next April?

At any rate, I just like his physicality and potential as a bit of a hybrid receiver (not completely a possession guy).

[Dream]

Yea this is like the 4th year in a row that I'm pulling for a wideout.

Age? Won't he be like 22 or 23 next April?

At any rate, I just like his physicality and potential as a bit of a hybrid receiver (not completely a possession guy).

I guess he'll be 23 years old by the time camps roll in, but 22 at the time of the draft which actually isn't bad at all. I had thought with his 2005 Redshirt (after the UNC ordeal) that he was actually a lot older than advertised. I could have sworn I saw 1984 as his birthday instead of 1985, but nevermind that.

[Max Power]

The thought of drafting a WR 1st-round makes me cringe. Busts like Lelie and Marcus Nash don't exactly inspire confidence. Besides, Adarius Bowman and Brandon Marshall are pretty much the same type of player. Marshall will be a force if he can stay healthy. I really believe Walker and Marshall can be a top-notch combo for years to come. Stokely will work well in the slot, while Hixon is groomed to take over that role when he moves on.

I'd much rather see us solidify the defensive front 7 with a DT or a LB. Frank Okam and Keith Rivers are two names that jump to mind. Who knows? Maybe we will get lucky and Kenny Phillips falls just far enough to where we can trade up and nab him. That would be the best-case scenario IMO.