The dust has finally settled in my head and I have watched a good cross section of the draft class in person over the last three weeks. I really debated a lot of these rankings and as you all know, the combine and pro days factor in, and most importantly, the draft. The rankings on May 1 will be very different than these, keep that in mind. If I rebuilt these rankings from scratch right now, they would probably be different. Im sure once this is posted I'll read the rankings and start re-debating them from a different point of view, and some of you will bring some persuasive arguments as to why I am wrong about someone. I reserve the right to change these at any moment. This is all still very fluid in my mind, but this is a snapshot of where I am at right now, and meant to only be a very very general guide at this early stage. I did not have a chance to thoroughly proofread this, so forgive any spelling, position, team errors. I'll be working on the commentary for these during the rest of the week. Remember that this reflects both my player evaluation and general comparative evaluation of position value in full IDP leagues. These do not reflect a particular scoring system, they are more generic, but the commentary will address some values in specific systems.
1. Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma - AD has the goods to be a top 10 RB, and that's gold, even in leagues that highly value WRs with options like PPR and start 3. I have been captivated by him from day one and I'm convinced he'll be a special player. Injuries are the only real drawback on his resume.
2. Calvin Johnson, WR Georgia Tech - The Can't Miss player of the draft. Larry Fitzgerald v2.0. His initial dynasty value may actually exceed AD's, it's just that AD's ceiling is a lot higher.
3. Marshawn Lynch, RB, California - A notch below the top 2 both in terms of upside and talent. That's not a knock on Lynch - Calvin and AD would be premier prospects in any draft. The gap between Lynch and AD is closed some in PPR leagues. I love that Lynch had one of his best games last year on two bum ankles (Washington).
4. JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU - He's ahead of the WRs because I'm not sure there's a future top 15 WR in the bunch. Russell has the strength, size, mobility, and arm to be a game breaker in the mold of Culpepper or Roethlisberger, but better.
5. Dwayne Jarrett, WR, USC - I really like Jarrett's chances of hitting, and I'm this close to seeing him possibly have the career path of another USC WR, Keyshawn Johnson. He could well establish himself as the #4 before the draft. Whether I would take Russell or Jarrett at 4 would depend on my roster at this point, they're that close.
6. Sidney Rice, WR, South Carolina - I see the makings of a WR1 in Rice, a lot of the same qualities as Calvin Johnson - particularly superhuman body control. He's inferior to Johnson in every category, but they are the same kind of WR. I tend to put a higher value on upside than most dynasty owners, so that could explain my disagreement with the majority of people on this ranking.
7. Robert Meachem, WR, Tennessee - I really dont have anything bad to say about Meachem. He could rise in the right situation. He just does not quite have the one outstanding attribute to separate himself the way Jarrett and Rice do. I am probably missing the forest for the trees in that analysis, because Meachem seems to have a better overall package of skills than Rice, but I am somewhat swayed by transcendental play.
8. Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU - I almost put Bowe 6th, but I felt I was becoming too influenced by the Senior Bowl practices. Bowe was dazzling in practice, and just moved with a quickness and swiftness that a guy with his thick build should not be able to move. I reserve the right to re-shuffle this entire group of four WRs.
9. Ted Ginn Jr, WR, tOSU - Ginn falls to 9th because he's the only WR in this group that I can find a reason to be truly skeptical about. He hasn't demonstrated that he can handle the physical side of being an NFL WR. CBs played 10 yards off the line of scrimmage against him out of respect, but me thinks he'll face a lot more press coverage in the pros. Im not saying he cant bang, I'm just saying I haven't seen enough of it to believe yet. If he can, he'll be a steal at 9.
10. Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame - I just see too much of Eli in Quinn. He should put up nice numbers (Eli does), but are you happy if Eli is the starting QB on your dynasty team right now? Can you trade him for much? Probably not. Quinn has shown the ability to be a prolific passer, but he also does not rise to the occasion against tough defenses, and they only get tougher from here. Still, not a bad first round value pick if you are looking to rebuild at QB.
11. Johnnie Lee Higgins, WR, UTEP – Here’s my favorite WR of the 07 class. His speed and quicks give him as much upside as any WR on this list not named Calvin. He was the only real threat on his team and opponents still couldn’t stop him.
12. Antonio Pittman, RB, tOSU – Pittman is the leader of the 2nd tier RBs for now simply because he has the smallest questions. Not that he doesn’t have questions. I can’t envision Pittman ever being better than an RB2, and he would be the kind that is probably looking over his shoulder. The combine will help sort this group out.
13. Michael Bush, RB, Louisville – Bush is a more outstanding talent than Pittman, but my questions about him are larger. Can he learn to use his mass as a weapon? How’s that leg? I still can’t decide how much the Eric Shelton debacle should impact Bush’s rank – I need to know more about WHY Shelton busted before I make that call.
14. Lorenzo Booker, RB, Florida St – If you read the Blammey Senior Bowl dispatches, you know that we love Booker. Honestly, he’s not that different from Reggie Bush. The problem is that he’s smaller, he won’t come in with Bush’s hype and unreal draft grade, and therefore, he seems destined to get the short end of an RBBC (then again, isn’t that where Bush is?). Of course, you could have said the same about Maurice Jones-Drew last year, and still, the cream rose to the top. I expect him to have a ridiculous combine and probably jump up a few spots.
15. Kenny Irons, RB, Auburn – Kenny has started to rehabilitate his stock in my mind. He looked like ‘05 Irons in Mobile. I still see him having the least upside of this group UNLESS he goes to a zone blocking scheme team. His cuts are sharp and decisive and I can picture him ripping it up in Denver or Houston (among others).
16. Greg Olsen, TE, Miami-FL – Olsen ushers in the 3rd tier of this rookie class. His main value is his receiving ability, so he’s ahead of Miller in the fantasy draft TE class despite being behind him on my NFL draft board. Whatever team pulls the trigger on Olsen in April will use him as a weapon in the passing game.
17. Patrick Willis, LB, Ole Miss – Your #1 IDP. Mike Nolan said at the Senior Bowl: “He (Demeco Ryans) didn't make the initial impression on me as much as Willis has already. That doesn't make him a better player or worse. It's just that initially Willis has caught my eye a good bit in the little that we've been practicing these two days."
18. Tony Hunt, RB, PSU – Hunt probably belongs with the 2nd tier backs in terms of opportunity and draft stock. I just don’t like his somewhat sluggish, upright running style. He could play a Marion Barber III type role, but I see him more as a Richie Anderson. Could move up 7-10 spots on the right team.
19. Zach Miller, TE, Arizona St – I can’t imagine Zach being used much more as a receiver than another Miller at TE, Heath. He’s still an excellent two-way football player and he could play himself into a bigger role than Olsen.
20. Anthony Gonzalez, WR, tOSU – PPR league special. Anthony doesn’t have the special talent of the 2nd tier WRs, but he has the right set of skills to be almost as productive as those WRs. A great 2nd round value pick.
21. Dwayne Wright, RB, Fresno St – Here’s a pick for the dice rollers out there. Wright is a solid north-south RB who could break out in the right system. He has recovered well from a torn left patellar tendon that robbed him of almost two years.
22. Brandon Jackson, RB, Nebraska – Another roll of the dice at RB, Jackson was the best of a crowded Husker backfield. Brandon has flashed great moves and speed, and he runs tough. Still, he’s never been a true feature back, and has been plagued by shoulder injuries.
23. Troy Smith, QB, tOSU – I wouldn’t argue with Smith as high as 16 if you need a QB and don’t have a pick that can land Russell or Quinn. Smith is actually a nice fantasy sleeper in this class – His legs and athleticism give him the ability to get good yardage on the ground and create more with his arm. Troy is one of the players I am most undecided about at this point.
24. Drew Stanton, QB, Michigan St – NFL types drool over Stanton. He just looks like he should be a starter. He’s big and mobile with an NFL arm. Stanton could be just as big a success as Quinn or Russell in a best case scenario. The question I can’t answer is this: Did Michigan St bring Stanton down or Did Stanton bring Michigan State down? Probably both, and that’s not comforting.
25. Brandon Siler, LB, Florida – If you prefer to invest conservatively, Siler is a nice 2nd round pick. He’ll make plays all over the field and surely lead his team in tackles. Siler is the QB of the defense and could easily settle in the LB15-25 range with upside.
26. Paul Posluszny, LB, PSU – People want to compare the kid from Linebacker U. to DeMeco Ryans because he also could fall because of more average physical attributes. I suspect there’s something more for him to gain back from the knee injury. For now I can’t see him getting higher than fantasy LB3 in this class.
27. Aundrae Allison, WR, East Carolina – It was probably a weak WR class at the Senior Bowl, but that doesn’t change that Allison really stood out and more than belonged next to the BCS conference WRs. ‘Drae flashed the hands, agility, and quickness to be a solid #2 WR and could move up this list if he’s a first day pick to a team in need.
28. Jacoby Jones, WR, Lane College – A highly debatable player, Jones proved himself to me during Shrine Game practices. He improved markedly every day, sparking memories of Marques Colston’s practice growth curve last year. He didn’t top his week off in style the way Colston did, but his terrific speed and quickness in a long, lean frame still popped out in the Shrine Game. He’s got the potential be a big time WR if it clicks at the next level, but he carries as much risk as anyone in the top 50.
29. Steve Smith, WR, USC – Smith joins Gonzalez in the safe WR investment/PPR special WR group. QBs will be able to count on this sure handed tough WR. His route running skills are among the best in the class.
30. Craig Davis, WR, LSU – Davis has the physical attributes (especially quickness) to be higher on this list, but he just feels more like a project to me. I’m not sure if his game will become complete enough to stick long term as a starter.
31. Brian Leonard, RB, Rutgers – I really struggled with where to put Leonard. He will help his NFL team win games, and could touch the ball 200 times a year. I would definitely be willing to bump him significantly in PPR leagues, but I still can’t shake the feeling that Leonard will have trouble ever cracking the top 35-40 fantasy RBs in any given year.
32. H.B. Blades, LB, Pitt
33. Buster Davis, LB, Florida St – Blades and Davis form their own mini-tier. Both of these undersized, overachieving MLBs play with tons of heart and passion. Both will be active defenders who show up a lot on the stat sheet. The risk remains that their size will cause them to struggle at the next level, but they’ve been hearing that their whole careers.
34. Trent Edwards, QB, Stanford – Edwards feels like a big unknown. He has shown glimmers of NFL QB play but has also been mired at Stanford and finished his career hurt. Watch his destination closely – it could turn him into a 2nd rounder on this list.
35. Kevin Kolb, QB, Houston – Mayock’s new favorite, Kolb did not exactly hit the ground running in Mobile. Kolb does have the raw materials to successfully make the transition to a pro style offense, but the success is not a given. Like Edwards, a good destination in April could boost his value significantly.
36. Ben Patrick, TE, Delaware – A Bloom/Lammey favorite from our January draft tour, Patrick just looks and plays like an oversized WR. They lined him up outside a lot at the Shrine practices, another fantasy plus. He also seemed like a very bright kid when we talked to him. He’s the top candidate to pull a Scheffler and sneak into the first day. The Vikes seemed very interested in him in Mobile.
37. Jason Hill, WR, Washington St – Hill is another somewhat boring WR athletically who should still become a dependable target nonetheless. I don’t see the deep speed for him to be a big play threat in the pros – a big reason that he’s this low.
38. Rhema McKnight, WR, Notre Dame – McKnight is a larger, but less consistent version of Steve Smith. Another very dependable WR who does not excite with any of his tools, but gets the job done.
39. Thomas Clayton, RB, Kansas St – At this point in the rookie draft, you are panning for gold at the skill positions. Clayton earned my respect when he showed up at the Senior Bowl very fresh and popped through holes with vision, patience, and burst. He’s had a checkered past going from Florida State to Kansas State, but he has the talent of some of the runners higher up on this list.
40. Ahmad Bradshaw, RB, Marshall – Bradshaw strikes me as a lower octane version of Brandon Jackson. Ahmad has his backers, and he’ll be a favorite RB sleeper for some.
41. Jon Beason, LB, Miami-FL
42. Lawrence Timmons, LB, Florida St – Beason and Timmons also form a mini-tier of their own. Both are extremely athletic OLBs who should make a lot of big plays. Bump Timmons up in leagues that heavily value sacks.
43. LaRon Landry, S, LSU – Landry is the class of the safeties, but I have somewhat mellowed on the value of safeties in IDP league rookie drafts. Looking at last year’s class, you would have been just as well off taking Roman Harper late or picking up Dawan Landry on waivers as you would have been drafting Michael Huff or Donte Whitner. The blue chip safety class is also four deep this year, so you are almost guaranteed of getting one in the 4th.
44. Steve Breaston, WR, Michigan – If I had made this list three weeks ago, Breaston would be higher. He was dazzling on NFL Day at the Shrine Game. Some time has passed and I’m back to seeing Breaston with a shot to start, but more likely destined to be a #3. His upside is greater than some of the 3rd tier WRs above him, but I can’t get past picturing him as a slot receiver.
45. Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson – Just like Landry and the safeties, Adams rookie draft rank is hurt by the depth at his position. He should be the premier sack artist from this class, but there are at least two or three other pass rush specialists in this class who have the potential to surpass him (and you can probably get them on the waiver wire after your rookie draft), and that deflates his draft value. Adams will also struggle to put up big tackle numbers in run support.
46. Jamaal Anderson, DE, Arkansas – Anderson is not nearly as advanced as Adams in his pass rush repertoire, but he’s got the bulk and athleticism to be a true two-way, three-down end. He’s got the highest ceiling of any DE in this draft.
47. Reggie Nelson, S, Florida – Nelson has even more outstanding range and playmaking ability than Landry, but he seems less disciplined and has a shorter record of exceptional play.
48. Brandon Meriweather, S, Miami-FL – Meriweather was clearly the best safety I watched in January and he seems to have left the stain of the melee with FIU behind him. Another good value in the 4th if you need a safety.
49. Maurice Price, WR, Charleston Southern – Price is a guy you should know more about. He’s an NFL athlete, and he paced all of Division I with 103 catches in 2006. It’s too bad that he’s not at the combine, because he would light it up with his reported numbers of a 4.4 40, 11” broad jump, and 40” vertical. I have a feeling he’s going to end up on a lot of my dynasty teams.
50. Paul Williams, WR, Fresno St – You could put together a highlight reel of Williams plays that would make you take him in the 2nd round. If Williams puts it all together, he could be a #1 in the NFL. The problem is that he hasn’t shown any signs that he’s going to do that. One of the biggest enigmas of the draft class.
51. Joe Newton, TE, Oregon St – Can you tell that this TE class is weak? Newton is the “best of the rest”, but that’s not saying much. Newton is big, but not lumbering, and he’s got good hands. I just have trouble picturing him higher than the #3 or 4 weapon in a passing offense.
52. Darius Walker, RB, Notre Dame – For some, Walker (and Wynn) will be much higher. If you believe in Darius, take him in the 3rd. Rookie drafts are about putting your money where your mouth is. I don’t see Walker as more than a 3rd down/change of pace back in any scenario, so I doubt he ends up on any of my teams.
53. DeShawn Wynn, RB, Florida – Wynn has NFL size and has flashed NFL potential at times, but like Michael Bush, he doesn’t do a good job of using his mass as a weapon. He’s not nearly the physical specimen that Bush is, and he just seems like wasted potential at this point.
54. Isaiah Stanback, QB, Washington – Here’s the first player on the 100 that you draft as “athlete”. He showed enough at QB to think that he might have a future behind center, but he also displayed the great athleticism, physicality, and competitiveness that he would need to convert to WR.
55. Ryan Moore, WR, Miami-FL – Moore joins guys like Williams and Wynn in the “underachiever” category. He’s got the goods to be a starting NFL WR, but his off the field issues outnumber his on the field accolades at this point.
56. Gary Russell, RB, Minnesota (former) – Beware, you are not getting the 2005 Russell if you take him. Gary was somewhat out of shape and not nearly as sharp in El Paso at the Texas Vs. The Nation game. On the plus side, his off the field issue was school more than it was character, so he’s not as tainted as you think.
57. Michael Griffin, S, Texas – I watched too much UT football this year to be that high on Griffin. He’s got equal tools to the safeties above him, but played undisciplined football and was even a liability at times.
58. John Beck, QB, BYU – Beck is actually a much more solid investment than his ranking would indicate. He doesn’t have the upside to ever be a guy you’d want to start as your fantasy QB, but he’s got a decent shot to start in the right system, and that carries good value in deep leagues.
59. Dallas Baker, WR, Florida – I can talk myself into putting Baker as much as 25 spots higher on this list, but at the end of the day, I just don’t believe in him. He’s terrific in the air, but his mantis-like frame dooms him to being pushed around unmercifully. A lot can change by draft day – if a team invests a 3rd or 4th in him, I’ll bump him up to the 3rd tier of WRs.
60. Brandon Myles, WR, WVU – Similar to Bowe, I had to restrain myself from putting Myles too high because it would overweight his Senior Bowl practices. Still, you couldn’t shake the feeling that this guy was underused at West Virginia when he was snagging passes left and right in Mobile. Myles combine snub is very curious, and part of the reason that I am reluctant to completely buy in at this point.
61. Ramonce Taylor, RB, Texas College – Part of me wants to take Taylor completely off this list. I heard some things that make me think that he’s still not taking things as serious as he should be. Then I remember how considerable his upside is as a playmaker (especially if he can convert to WR), and well, we’re firmly in the longshot part of the draft, so this is about where I would put a chip on Taylor’s number to hit. There is not much separating #60 from #150.
62. Courtney Taylor, WR, Auburn – Taylor actually made a lot of plays in Mobile, but he just strikes me as roster fodder in the NFL. He’s the type that could be decently productive if opportunity falls into his lap, but I don’t think that his talent will win him opportunity on its own.
63. Rufus Alexander, LB, Oklahoma – The 2nd tier LBs are low in the initial list because their situations factor in heavily in my rankings. I tend to not tie up roster spots on LBs that will be backups for the early parts of their career unless I think they can be special players once they get a chance to start. I prefer to buy as many lottery tickets at offensive positions as possible. Some of these 2nd tier LBs will land in plum positions and vault up the list, but I can’t say which yet, and I’m not quite sold on any of them as future stalwart starters yet – but that will change as the draft approaches.
64. David Harris, LB, Michigan – Like Alexander for OLB, Harris is on the cusp of getting into the first tier of ILBs, but I’m withholding judgment until I see his combine/pro day numbers and find out where he lands. A Michigan homer that I greatly respect says that Harris will be excellent as long as he has quality DTs in front of him.
65. Tyrone Moss, RB, Miami-FL – This one is a Cecil Lammey special. I just don’t see Moss doing it at the next level, but I would take him here just because I respect Lammey’s opinion, and he loves Moss. Chaos Commish is another guy I highly respect, and he has had Moss very high on his RB lists. He’s definitely a natural RB, but the lack of burst is sad. A candidate to be a Lundy/Bell this year.
66. Josh Swogger, QB, Montana – The first of the true project QBs, Swogger was smart, precise, and calm all week in El Paso. I think he could break out in year 3 or 4 and he’s a perfect guy to stash in leagues with taxi squads.
67. Jeff Rowe, QB, Nevada – Rowe’s upside is probably higher than Swogger’s, and he could rocket up this list if he goes to a team with good long term opportunity. He’s probably more athletic than Swogger, but I like Swogger’s mechanics and polish better.
68. David Ball, WR, UNH – No one in this class has better hands than Ball, and he can do astounding things in the air, but I still can’t see him as a starting WR in the NFL. He might be able to do damage in a West Coast offense or in a place like Detroit or Indianapolis.
69. Kolby Smith, RB, Louisville – Smith is a very competent FB/RB tweener type who could eventually have value as a backup that gets a spot start due to a starter injury.
70. Selvin Young, RB, Texas – Young opened my eyes when he was finally healthy this year as a powerful runner, and he looked good as a one-cut runner in Shrine Game practices before getting hurt.
71. Kenneth Darby, RB, Alabama – I gave Darby a lot of chances, but I was never that impressed with him. His high ranking coming into this year is probably the only reason I have him in the top 100.
72. James Jones, WR, SJSU – Jones had a breakout season and finished strong in his bowl and all-star game. He lacks breakaway speed, but he’s rugged and dependable. He’s another Chaos Commish favorite.
73. Laurent Robinson, WR, Illinois St – Robinson is my favorite deep sleeper WR. I’ll confess - part of the reason he’s not higher is that I haven’t really gotten a chance to watch him play. Robinson has been a dominant WR at the 1-AA level and has the speed and guts to hurt defenses deep.
74. Jon Abbate, LB, Wake Forest – It is hard to ignore his prolific tackle totals, but Abbate is probably no better than 5th in the MLB class no matter how you slice it. He also seems more like a two down backer.
75. Anthony Waters, LB, Clemson – Waters suffered a torn ACL in September. I think he would have carried a similar grade to Abdul Hodge if he had stayed healthy. Waters has great size and he attacks the ball. I’ll be more inclined to gamble a mid round pick on him if an NFL front office is willing to.
76. Charles Johnson, DE, Georgia – Johnson is part of the deep DE class, and well suited to be a two way end. He was overshadowed by Quentin Moses in 2005, but should enter the draft as the more coveted Bulldog end.
77. Ronnie McGill, RB, UNC – McGill is the second player in the 70s coming off a torn ACL. His agent assured me that McGill’s recovery is going well and that there was not damage to the knee beyond the ACL tear. He’s a power back worth watching if he can make a roster. He’s one of the more likely players on this list to go undrafted.
78. Anthony Spencer, DE, Purdue – Spencer is probably more interesting as a 3-4 OLB than a 4-3 DE. He could jump a few dozen spots if he becomes a Steeler.
79. Jeff Samardzija, WR, Notre Dame – I was never that impressed with Samardzija to begin with, and believe he did the right thing by choosing baseball. He still would have ranked in the top 30-35 if he was playing football, so he’s worth stashing in leagues with deep rosters. Drew Henson ended up having temporary value after a similar scenario unfolded.
80. Scott Chandler, TE, Iowa – Chandler is basically a stiffer version of Joe Newton, but he is a converted WR, so I wouldn’t write him off just yet.
81. Martrez Milner, TE, Georgia – Milner looks dexterous and athletic on one play and clumsy on the next. His athletic ability makes him worth a flier in this weak TE class.
82. Jordan Palmer, QB, UTEP – If Palmer had come from a different family, he would not be on this list. His bloodline, along with his arm and size, will get him a shot at the next level, so he’s worth drafting, especially in 16 team leagues.
83. Matt Gutierrez, QB, Idaho State – Gutierrez has the same NFL size as Palmer and once had a good arm, but questions about his health linger. He’s a former top Michigan recruit who was Wally Pipp’d by Chad Henne.
84. Jeff Smith, QB, Georgetown (KY) – The last of the project type QBs with ideal size, Smith is the rawest, but might have the highest upside. The success of Derek Anderson has caused me to reconsider the worth of stashing the QBs with big frames and arms who haven’t yet put it together.
85. Arkee Whitlock, RB, SIU – The RBs down here are unlikely to get drafted, but that doesn’t mean that they haven’t shown something. I like Whitlock’s low running style, and he started over Brandon Jacobs for the Salukis in 2004, so there might be something there.
86. Justise Hairston, RB, CCSU – Hairston’s character really impressed me when I talked to him in El Paso, and he was terrific in the Hula Bowl. His vision stood out as one of his strong suits when I watched him in practices.
87. Stewart Bradley, LB, Nebraska – I am very high on Bradley’s future, it just seems likely to be at SLB, or possibly 3-4 OLB. He looked equally adept at dropping into coverage as he did rushing the passer in Mobile.
88. Aaron Rouse, S, Virginia Tech – I went to Mobile expecting to see Rouse look like an out of position LB, but instead he stood out as a big bruiser who can hold his own in coverage. S/LB tweeners have not done well in recent drafts, but I’m still intrigued.
89. Darrelle Revis, CB, Pitt – I can’t bring myself to draft CBs in rookie drafts, but Revis is probably worth the investment. He’ll produce big plays and he’s more than willing in run support.
90. Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville – Okoye will get excellent sack totals from the interior line and has upside to spare. I just happen to not believe in spending rookie picks on DTs.
91. Sabby Piscitelli, S, Oregon St – Piscitelli cemented his status as a “seek and destroy” strong safety in the Shrine Game. He could have a linebacker like presence in the run game while still having the range to stay at safety. Piscitelli could produce IDP numbers similar to the more heralded safeties with a much less expensive pick.
92. Justin Durant, LB, Hampton – Durant did not stand out at the Shrine Game, but he did display the athleticism to hang at the next level. He has the potential to be one of the better LBs in this class, but he’s just a project at this point.
93. Eric Weddle, DB, Utah – Weddle will be a player, but he strikes me as an overachiever with bigger athletic gaps to make up at the next level. I’ll be interested to see how he’s used wherever he ends up.
94. Earl Everett, LB, Florida – Everett might be a lot higher on other lists, but he has never really stood out when I’ve watched the Gators, and he didn’t do much to change that in Mobile. He snuck in because he might still carry a first day grade.
95. Prescott Burgess, LB, Michigan – Burgess is an interesting LB for the future. If the converted safety can develop a mean streak to match his athleticism and size, he could surprise down the road.
96. Justin Vincent, RB, LSU
97. Danny Ware, RB, Georgia
98. Chris Henry, RB, Arizona – This last group of RBs amounts to throwing darts and hoping. Vincent has an outstanding year under his belt, but it was 2003. Ware also started off his career hot, only to tail off. Henry will turn heads as an athlete at the combine, but has turned that ability into very little production.
99. Chansi Stuckey, WR, Clemson – Stuckey is a good waterbug type WR, but I saw too much indecisiveness in his open field running in Senior Bowl practices. He has room to move up if he gets picked in the 3rd or 4th round in April, but I see many other WR prospects who should be picked ahead of him right now.
100. Matt Trannon, WR, Michigan St – Trannon is an interesting project at WR because his long, tall frame and basketball background. He has shown flashes, but he’s still learning how to exploit his size advantage. I’m still skeptical partially because it didn’t seem like they used him the right way in East Lansing.
JUST MISSED (and there’s about 20-30 guys I had trouble leaving off of this list):
QB
Toby Korrodi, Central Missouri St.
Justin Rascati, James Madison
Zac Taylor, Nebraska
Chris Leak, Florida
Jared Zabransky, Boise St
Luke Getsy, Akron
Tyler Palko, Pitt
RB
Germaine Race, Pittsburg St
Garrett Wolfe, Northern Illinois
Nate Ilaoa, Hawaii
Jon Cornish, Kansas
Jason Snelling, Virginia
Paul Mosley, Baylor
Jackie Battle, Houston
WR
David Clowney, Virginia Tech
Syvelle Newton, South Carolina
Joel Filani, Texas Tech
Jarrett Hicks, Texas Tech
Jerard Rabb, Boise St
Mike Walker, UCF
Ryne Robinson, Miami OH
Jordan Kent, Oregon
James Finley, Oregon
Junior Taylor, UCLA
Kendrick Dozier, Langston
TE
Matt Spaeth, Minnesota
Kevin Boss, Western Oregon
Johnny Harline, BYU
DL
Victor Abiamiri, DE, Notre Dame
Tim Crowder, DE, Texas
Quentin Moses, DE/OLB, Georgia
Jarvis Moss, DE, Florida
LaMarr Woodley, DE/OLB, Michigan
Brian Smith, DE/OLB, Missouri
Marcus Thomas, DT, Florida
Dan Bazuin, DE, Central Michigan
Ikaika Alama-Francis, DE, Hawaii
Adam Carriker, DE/DT, Nebraska
Ray McDonald, DE/DT, Florida
LB
Desmond Bishop, Cal
KaMichael Hall, Ga Tech
Taurean Charles, Bethune-Cookman
Rory Johnson, Mississippi
Sam Olajubutu, Arkansas
Tim Shaw, PSU
Quincy Black, UNM
Stephen Nicholas, USF
Michael Okwo, Stanford
DB
Daymeion Hughes, CB, Cal
Chris Houston, CB, Arkansas
Leon Hall, CB, Michigan
Fred Bennett, CB, South Car
Tanard Jackson, CB/S, Syracuse
Daren Stone, S, Maine
Dashon Goldson, CB/S, Washington
Josh Gattis, S, Wake Forest
Kevin Payne, S, Louisiana-Monroe
1. Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma - AD has the goods to be a top 10 RB, and that's gold, even in leagues that highly value WRs with options like PPR and start 3. I have been captivated by him from day one and I'm convinced he'll be a special player. Injuries are the only real drawback on his resume.
2. Calvin Johnson, WR Georgia Tech - The Can't Miss player of the draft. Larry Fitzgerald v2.0. His initial dynasty value may actually exceed AD's, it's just that AD's ceiling is a lot higher.
3. Marshawn Lynch, RB, California - A notch below the top 2 both in terms of upside and talent. That's not a knock on Lynch - Calvin and AD would be premier prospects in any draft. The gap between Lynch and AD is closed some in PPR leagues. I love that Lynch had one of his best games last year on two bum ankles (Washington).
4. JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU - He's ahead of the WRs because I'm not sure there's a future top 15 WR in the bunch. Russell has the strength, size, mobility, and arm to be a game breaker in the mold of Culpepper or Roethlisberger, but better.
5. Dwayne Jarrett, WR, USC - I really like Jarrett's chances of hitting, and I'm this close to seeing him possibly have the career path of another USC WR, Keyshawn Johnson. He could well establish himself as the #4 before the draft. Whether I would take Russell or Jarrett at 4 would depend on my roster at this point, they're that close.
6. Sidney Rice, WR, South Carolina - I see the makings of a WR1 in Rice, a lot of the same qualities as Calvin Johnson - particularly superhuman body control. He's inferior to Johnson in every category, but they are the same kind of WR. I tend to put a higher value on upside than most dynasty owners, so that could explain my disagreement with the majority of people on this ranking.
7. Robert Meachem, WR, Tennessee - I really dont have anything bad to say about Meachem. He could rise in the right situation. He just does not quite have the one outstanding attribute to separate himself the way Jarrett and Rice do. I am probably missing the forest for the trees in that analysis, because Meachem seems to have a better overall package of skills than Rice, but I am somewhat swayed by transcendental play.
8. Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU - I almost put Bowe 6th, but I felt I was becoming too influenced by the Senior Bowl practices. Bowe was dazzling in practice, and just moved with a quickness and swiftness that a guy with his thick build should not be able to move. I reserve the right to re-shuffle this entire group of four WRs.
9. Ted Ginn Jr, WR, tOSU - Ginn falls to 9th because he's the only WR in this group that I can find a reason to be truly skeptical about. He hasn't demonstrated that he can handle the physical side of being an NFL WR. CBs played 10 yards off the line of scrimmage against him out of respect, but me thinks he'll face a lot more press coverage in the pros. Im not saying he cant bang, I'm just saying I haven't seen enough of it to believe yet. If he can, he'll be a steal at 9.
10. Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame - I just see too much of Eli in Quinn. He should put up nice numbers (Eli does), but are you happy if Eli is the starting QB on your dynasty team right now? Can you trade him for much? Probably not. Quinn has shown the ability to be a prolific passer, but he also does not rise to the occasion against tough defenses, and they only get tougher from here. Still, not a bad first round value pick if you are looking to rebuild at QB.
11. Johnnie Lee Higgins, WR, UTEP – Here’s my favorite WR of the 07 class. His speed and quicks give him as much upside as any WR on this list not named Calvin. He was the only real threat on his team and opponents still couldn’t stop him.
12. Antonio Pittman, RB, tOSU – Pittman is the leader of the 2nd tier RBs for now simply because he has the smallest questions. Not that he doesn’t have questions. I can’t envision Pittman ever being better than an RB2, and he would be the kind that is probably looking over his shoulder. The combine will help sort this group out.
13. Michael Bush, RB, Louisville – Bush is a more outstanding talent than Pittman, but my questions about him are larger. Can he learn to use his mass as a weapon? How’s that leg? I still can’t decide how much the Eric Shelton debacle should impact Bush’s rank – I need to know more about WHY Shelton busted before I make that call.
14. Lorenzo Booker, RB, Florida St – If you read the Blammey Senior Bowl dispatches, you know that we love Booker. Honestly, he’s not that different from Reggie Bush. The problem is that he’s smaller, he won’t come in with Bush’s hype and unreal draft grade, and therefore, he seems destined to get the short end of an RBBC (then again, isn’t that where Bush is?). Of course, you could have said the same about Maurice Jones-Drew last year, and still, the cream rose to the top. I expect him to have a ridiculous combine and probably jump up a few spots.
15. Kenny Irons, RB, Auburn – Kenny has started to rehabilitate his stock in my mind. He looked like ‘05 Irons in Mobile. I still see him having the least upside of this group UNLESS he goes to a zone blocking scheme team. His cuts are sharp and decisive and I can picture him ripping it up in Denver or Houston (among others).
16. Greg Olsen, TE, Miami-FL – Olsen ushers in the 3rd tier of this rookie class. His main value is his receiving ability, so he’s ahead of Miller in the fantasy draft TE class despite being behind him on my NFL draft board. Whatever team pulls the trigger on Olsen in April will use him as a weapon in the passing game.
17. Patrick Willis, LB, Ole Miss – Your #1 IDP. Mike Nolan said at the Senior Bowl: “He (Demeco Ryans) didn't make the initial impression on me as much as Willis has already. That doesn't make him a better player or worse. It's just that initially Willis has caught my eye a good bit in the little that we've been practicing these two days."
18. Tony Hunt, RB, PSU – Hunt probably belongs with the 2nd tier backs in terms of opportunity and draft stock. I just don’t like his somewhat sluggish, upright running style. He could play a Marion Barber III type role, but I see him more as a Richie Anderson. Could move up 7-10 spots on the right team.
19. Zach Miller, TE, Arizona St – I can’t imagine Zach being used much more as a receiver than another Miller at TE, Heath. He’s still an excellent two-way football player and he could play himself into a bigger role than Olsen.
20. Anthony Gonzalez, WR, tOSU – PPR league special. Anthony doesn’t have the special talent of the 2nd tier WRs, but he has the right set of skills to be almost as productive as those WRs. A great 2nd round value pick.
21. Dwayne Wright, RB, Fresno St – Here’s a pick for the dice rollers out there. Wright is a solid north-south RB who could break out in the right system. He has recovered well from a torn left patellar tendon that robbed him of almost two years.
22. Brandon Jackson, RB, Nebraska – Another roll of the dice at RB, Jackson was the best of a crowded Husker backfield. Brandon has flashed great moves and speed, and he runs tough. Still, he’s never been a true feature back, and has been plagued by shoulder injuries.
23. Troy Smith, QB, tOSU – I wouldn’t argue with Smith as high as 16 if you need a QB and don’t have a pick that can land Russell or Quinn. Smith is actually a nice fantasy sleeper in this class – His legs and athleticism give him the ability to get good yardage on the ground and create more with his arm. Troy is one of the players I am most undecided about at this point.
24. Drew Stanton, QB, Michigan St – NFL types drool over Stanton. He just looks like he should be a starter. He’s big and mobile with an NFL arm. Stanton could be just as big a success as Quinn or Russell in a best case scenario. The question I can’t answer is this: Did Michigan St bring Stanton down or Did Stanton bring Michigan State down? Probably both, and that’s not comforting.
25. Brandon Siler, LB, Florida – If you prefer to invest conservatively, Siler is a nice 2nd round pick. He’ll make plays all over the field and surely lead his team in tackles. Siler is the QB of the defense and could easily settle in the LB15-25 range with upside.
26. Paul Posluszny, LB, PSU – People want to compare the kid from Linebacker U. to DeMeco Ryans because he also could fall because of more average physical attributes. I suspect there’s something more for him to gain back from the knee injury. For now I can’t see him getting higher than fantasy LB3 in this class.
27. Aundrae Allison, WR, East Carolina – It was probably a weak WR class at the Senior Bowl, but that doesn’t change that Allison really stood out and more than belonged next to the BCS conference WRs. ‘Drae flashed the hands, agility, and quickness to be a solid #2 WR and could move up this list if he’s a first day pick to a team in need.
28. Jacoby Jones, WR, Lane College – A highly debatable player, Jones proved himself to me during Shrine Game practices. He improved markedly every day, sparking memories of Marques Colston’s practice growth curve last year. He didn’t top his week off in style the way Colston did, but his terrific speed and quickness in a long, lean frame still popped out in the Shrine Game. He’s got the potential be a big time WR if it clicks at the next level, but he carries as much risk as anyone in the top 50.
29. Steve Smith, WR, USC – Smith joins Gonzalez in the safe WR investment/PPR special WR group. QBs will be able to count on this sure handed tough WR. His route running skills are among the best in the class.
30. Craig Davis, WR, LSU – Davis has the physical attributes (especially quickness) to be higher on this list, but he just feels more like a project to me. I’m not sure if his game will become complete enough to stick long term as a starter.
31. Brian Leonard, RB, Rutgers – I really struggled with where to put Leonard. He will help his NFL team win games, and could touch the ball 200 times a year. I would definitely be willing to bump him significantly in PPR leagues, but I still can’t shake the feeling that Leonard will have trouble ever cracking the top 35-40 fantasy RBs in any given year.
32. H.B. Blades, LB, Pitt
33. Buster Davis, LB, Florida St – Blades and Davis form their own mini-tier. Both of these undersized, overachieving MLBs play with tons of heart and passion. Both will be active defenders who show up a lot on the stat sheet. The risk remains that their size will cause them to struggle at the next level, but they’ve been hearing that their whole careers.
34. Trent Edwards, QB, Stanford – Edwards feels like a big unknown. He has shown glimmers of NFL QB play but has also been mired at Stanford and finished his career hurt. Watch his destination closely – it could turn him into a 2nd rounder on this list.
35. Kevin Kolb, QB, Houston – Mayock’s new favorite, Kolb did not exactly hit the ground running in Mobile. Kolb does have the raw materials to successfully make the transition to a pro style offense, but the success is not a given. Like Edwards, a good destination in April could boost his value significantly.
36. Ben Patrick, TE, Delaware – A Bloom/Lammey favorite from our January draft tour, Patrick just looks and plays like an oversized WR. They lined him up outside a lot at the Shrine practices, another fantasy plus. He also seemed like a very bright kid when we talked to him. He’s the top candidate to pull a Scheffler and sneak into the first day. The Vikes seemed very interested in him in Mobile.
37. Jason Hill, WR, Washington St – Hill is another somewhat boring WR athletically who should still become a dependable target nonetheless. I don’t see the deep speed for him to be a big play threat in the pros – a big reason that he’s this low.
38. Rhema McKnight, WR, Notre Dame – McKnight is a larger, but less consistent version of Steve Smith. Another very dependable WR who does not excite with any of his tools, but gets the job done.
39. Thomas Clayton, RB, Kansas St – At this point in the rookie draft, you are panning for gold at the skill positions. Clayton earned my respect when he showed up at the Senior Bowl very fresh and popped through holes with vision, patience, and burst. He’s had a checkered past going from Florida State to Kansas State, but he has the talent of some of the runners higher up on this list.
40. Ahmad Bradshaw, RB, Marshall – Bradshaw strikes me as a lower octane version of Brandon Jackson. Ahmad has his backers, and he’ll be a favorite RB sleeper for some.
41. Jon Beason, LB, Miami-FL
42. Lawrence Timmons, LB, Florida St – Beason and Timmons also form a mini-tier of their own. Both are extremely athletic OLBs who should make a lot of big plays. Bump Timmons up in leagues that heavily value sacks.
43. LaRon Landry, S, LSU – Landry is the class of the safeties, but I have somewhat mellowed on the value of safeties in IDP league rookie drafts. Looking at last year’s class, you would have been just as well off taking Roman Harper late or picking up Dawan Landry on waivers as you would have been drafting Michael Huff or Donte Whitner. The blue chip safety class is also four deep this year, so you are almost guaranteed of getting one in the 4th.
44. Steve Breaston, WR, Michigan – If I had made this list three weeks ago, Breaston would be higher. He was dazzling on NFL Day at the Shrine Game. Some time has passed and I’m back to seeing Breaston with a shot to start, but more likely destined to be a #3. His upside is greater than some of the 3rd tier WRs above him, but I can’t get past picturing him as a slot receiver.
45. Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson – Just like Landry and the safeties, Adams rookie draft rank is hurt by the depth at his position. He should be the premier sack artist from this class, but there are at least two or three other pass rush specialists in this class who have the potential to surpass him (and you can probably get them on the waiver wire after your rookie draft), and that deflates his draft value. Adams will also struggle to put up big tackle numbers in run support.
46. Jamaal Anderson, DE, Arkansas – Anderson is not nearly as advanced as Adams in his pass rush repertoire, but he’s got the bulk and athleticism to be a true two-way, three-down end. He’s got the highest ceiling of any DE in this draft.
47. Reggie Nelson, S, Florida – Nelson has even more outstanding range and playmaking ability than Landry, but he seems less disciplined and has a shorter record of exceptional play.
48. Brandon Meriweather, S, Miami-FL – Meriweather was clearly the best safety I watched in January and he seems to have left the stain of the melee with FIU behind him. Another good value in the 4th if you need a safety.
49. Maurice Price, WR, Charleston Southern – Price is a guy you should know more about. He’s an NFL athlete, and he paced all of Division I with 103 catches in 2006. It’s too bad that he’s not at the combine, because he would light it up with his reported numbers of a 4.4 40, 11” broad jump, and 40” vertical. I have a feeling he’s going to end up on a lot of my dynasty teams.
50. Paul Williams, WR, Fresno St – You could put together a highlight reel of Williams plays that would make you take him in the 2nd round. If Williams puts it all together, he could be a #1 in the NFL. The problem is that he hasn’t shown any signs that he’s going to do that. One of the biggest enigmas of the draft class.
51. Joe Newton, TE, Oregon St – Can you tell that this TE class is weak? Newton is the “best of the rest”, but that’s not saying much. Newton is big, but not lumbering, and he’s got good hands. I just have trouble picturing him higher than the #3 or 4 weapon in a passing offense.
52. Darius Walker, RB, Notre Dame – For some, Walker (and Wynn) will be much higher. If you believe in Darius, take him in the 3rd. Rookie drafts are about putting your money where your mouth is. I don’t see Walker as more than a 3rd down/change of pace back in any scenario, so I doubt he ends up on any of my teams.
53. DeShawn Wynn, RB, Florida – Wynn has NFL size and has flashed NFL potential at times, but like Michael Bush, he doesn’t do a good job of using his mass as a weapon. He’s not nearly the physical specimen that Bush is, and he just seems like wasted potential at this point.
54. Isaiah Stanback, QB, Washington – Here’s the first player on the 100 that you draft as “athlete”. He showed enough at QB to think that he might have a future behind center, but he also displayed the great athleticism, physicality, and competitiveness that he would need to convert to WR.
55. Ryan Moore, WR, Miami-FL – Moore joins guys like Williams and Wynn in the “underachiever” category. He’s got the goods to be a starting NFL WR, but his off the field issues outnumber his on the field accolades at this point.
56. Gary Russell, RB, Minnesota (former) – Beware, you are not getting the 2005 Russell if you take him. Gary was somewhat out of shape and not nearly as sharp in El Paso at the Texas Vs. The Nation game. On the plus side, his off the field issue was school more than it was character, so he’s not as tainted as you think.
57. Michael Griffin, S, Texas – I watched too much UT football this year to be that high on Griffin. He’s got equal tools to the safeties above him, but played undisciplined football and was even a liability at times.
58. John Beck, QB, BYU – Beck is actually a much more solid investment than his ranking would indicate. He doesn’t have the upside to ever be a guy you’d want to start as your fantasy QB, but he’s got a decent shot to start in the right system, and that carries good value in deep leagues.
59. Dallas Baker, WR, Florida – I can talk myself into putting Baker as much as 25 spots higher on this list, but at the end of the day, I just don’t believe in him. He’s terrific in the air, but his mantis-like frame dooms him to being pushed around unmercifully. A lot can change by draft day – if a team invests a 3rd or 4th in him, I’ll bump him up to the 3rd tier of WRs.
60. Brandon Myles, WR, WVU – Similar to Bowe, I had to restrain myself from putting Myles too high because it would overweight his Senior Bowl practices. Still, you couldn’t shake the feeling that this guy was underused at West Virginia when he was snagging passes left and right in Mobile. Myles combine snub is very curious, and part of the reason that I am reluctant to completely buy in at this point.
61. Ramonce Taylor, RB, Texas College – Part of me wants to take Taylor completely off this list. I heard some things that make me think that he’s still not taking things as serious as he should be. Then I remember how considerable his upside is as a playmaker (especially if he can convert to WR), and well, we’re firmly in the longshot part of the draft, so this is about where I would put a chip on Taylor’s number to hit. There is not much separating #60 from #150.
62. Courtney Taylor, WR, Auburn – Taylor actually made a lot of plays in Mobile, but he just strikes me as roster fodder in the NFL. He’s the type that could be decently productive if opportunity falls into his lap, but I don’t think that his talent will win him opportunity on its own.
63. Rufus Alexander, LB, Oklahoma – The 2nd tier LBs are low in the initial list because their situations factor in heavily in my rankings. I tend to not tie up roster spots on LBs that will be backups for the early parts of their career unless I think they can be special players once they get a chance to start. I prefer to buy as many lottery tickets at offensive positions as possible. Some of these 2nd tier LBs will land in plum positions and vault up the list, but I can’t say which yet, and I’m not quite sold on any of them as future stalwart starters yet – but that will change as the draft approaches.
64. David Harris, LB, Michigan – Like Alexander for OLB, Harris is on the cusp of getting into the first tier of ILBs, but I’m withholding judgment until I see his combine/pro day numbers and find out where he lands. A Michigan homer that I greatly respect says that Harris will be excellent as long as he has quality DTs in front of him.
65. Tyrone Moss, RB, Miami-FL – This one is a Cecil Lammey special. I just don’t see Moss doing it at the next level, but I would take him here just because I respect Lammey’s opinion, and he loves Moss. Chaos Commish is another guy I highly respect, and he has had Moss very high on his RB lists. He’s definitely a natural RB, but the lack of burst is sad. A candidate to be a Lundy/Bell this year.
66. Josh Swogger, QB, Montana – The first of the true project QBs, Swogger was smart, precise, and calm all week in El Paso. I think he could break out in year 3 or 4 and he’s a perfect guy to stash in leagues with taxi squads.
67. Jeff Rowe, QB, Nevada – Rowe’s upside is probably higher than Swogger’s, and he could rocket up this list if he goes to a team with good long term opportunity. He’s probably more athletic than Swogger, but I like Swogger’s mechanics and polish better.
68. David Ball, WR, UNH – No one in this class has better hands than Ball, and he can do astounding things in the air, but I still can’t see him as a starting WR in the NFL. He might be able to do damage in a West Coast offense or in a place like Detroit or Indianapolis.
69. Kolby Smith, RB, Louisville – Smith is a very competent FB/RB tweener type who could eventually have value as a backup that gets a spot start due to a starter injury.
70. Selvin Young, RB, Texas – Young opened my eyes when he was finally healthy this year as a powerful runner, and he looked good as a one-cut runner in Shrine Game practices before getting hurt.
71. Kenneth Darby, RB, Alabama – I gave Darby a lot of chances, but I was never that impressed with him. His high ranking coming into this year is probably the only reason I have him in the top 100.
72. James Jones, WR, SJSU – Jones had a breakout season and finished strong in his bowl and all-star game. He lacks breakaway speed, but he’s rugged and dependable. He’s another Chaos Commish favorite.
73. Laurent Robinson, WR, Illinois St – Robinson is my favorite deep sleeper WR. I’ll confess - part of the reason he’s not higher is that I haven’t really gotten a chance to watch him play. Robinson has been a dominant WR at the 1-AA level and has the speed and guts to hurt defenses deep.
74. Jon Abbate, LB, Wake Forest – It is hard to ignore his prolific tackle totals, but Abbate is probably no better than 5th in the MLB class no matter how you slice it. He also seems more like a two down backer.
75. Anthony Waters, LB, Clemson – Waters suffered a torn ACL in September. I think he would have carried a similar grade to Abdul Hodge if he had stayed healthy. Waters has great size and he attacks the ball. I’ll be more inclined to gamble a mid round pick on him if an NFL front office is willing to.
76. Charles Johnson, DE, Georgia – Johnson is part of the deep DE class, and well suited to be a two way end. He was overshadowed by Quentin Moses in 2005, but should enter the draft as the more coveted Bulldog end.
77. Ronnie McGill, RB, UNC – McGill is the second player in the 70s coming off a torn ACL. His agent assured me that McGill’s recovery is going well and that there was not damage to the knee beyond the ACL tear. He’s a power back worth watching if he can make a roster. He’s one of the more likely players on this list to go undrafted.
78. Anthony Spencer, DE, Purdue – Spencer is probably more interesting as a 3-4 OLB than a 4-3 DE. He could jump a few dozen spots if he becomes a Steeler.
79. Jeff Samardzija, WR, Notre Dame – I was never that impressed with Samardzija to begin with, and believe he did the right thing by choosing baseball. He still would have ranked in the top 30-35 if he was playing football, so he’s worth stashing in leagues with deep rosters. Drew Henson ended up having temporary value after a similar scenario unfolded.
80. Scott Chandler, TE, Iowa – Chandler is basically a stiffer version of Joe Newton, but he is a converted WR, so I wouldn’t write him off just yet.
81. Martrez Milner, TE, Georgia – Milner looks dexterous and athletic on one play and clumsy on the next. His athletic ability makes him worth a flier in this weak TE class.
82. Jordan Palmer, QB, UTEP – If Palmer had come from a different family, he would not be on this list. His bloodline, along with his arm and size, will get him a shot at the next level, so he’s worth drafting, especially in 16 team leagues.
83. Matt Gutierrez, QB, Idaho State – Gutierrez has the same NFL size as Palmer and once had a good arm, but questions about his health linger. He’s a former top Michigan recruit who was Wally Pipp’d by Chad Henne.
84. Jeff Smith, QB, Georgetown (KY) – The last of the project type QBs with ideal size, Smith is the rawest, but might have the highest upside. The success of Derek Anderson has caused me to reconsider the worth of stashing the QBs with big frames and arms who haven’t yet put it together.
85. Arkee Whitlock, RB, SIU – The RBs down here are unlikely to get drafted, but that doesn’t mean that they haven’t shown something. I like Whitlock’s low running style, and he started over Brandon Jacobs for the Salukis in 2004, so there might be something there.
86. Justise Hairston, RB, CCSU – Hairston’s character really impressed me when I talked to him in El Paso, and he was terrific in the Hula Bowl. His vision stood out as one of his strong suits when I watched him in practices.
87. Stewart Bradley, LB, Nebraska – I am very high on Bradley’s future, it just seems likely to be at SLB, or possibly 3-4 OLB. He looked equally adept at dropping into coverage as he did rushing the passer in Mobile.
88. Aaron Rouse, S, Virginia Tech – I went to Mobile expecting to see Rouse look like an out of position LB, but instead he stood out as a big bruiser who can hold his own in coverage. S/LB tweeners have not done well in recent drafts, but I’m still intrigued.
89. Darrelle Revis, CB, Pitt – I can’t bring myself to draft CBs in rookie drafts, but Revis is probably worth the investment. He’ll produce big plays and he’s more than willing in run support.
90. Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville – Okoye will get excellent sack totals from the interior line and has upside to spare. I just happen to not believe in spending rookie picks on DTs.
91. Sabby Piscitelli, S, Oregon St – Piscitelli cemented his status as a “seek and destroy” strong safety in the Shrine Game. He could have a linebacker like presence in the run game while still having the range to stay at safety. Piscitelli could produce IDP numbers similar to the more heralded safeties with a much less expensive pick.
92. Justin Durant, LB, Hampton – Durant did not stand out at the Shrine Game, but he did display the athleticism to hang at the next level. He has the potential to be one of the better LBs in this class, but he’s just a project at this point.
93. Eric Weddle, DB, Utah – Weddle will be a player, but he strikes me as an overachiever with bigger athletic gaps to make up at the next level. I’ll be interested to see how he’s used wherever he ends up.
94. Earl Everett, LB, Florida – Everett might be a lot higher on other lists, but he has never really stood out when I’ve watched the Gators, and he didn’t do much to change that in Mobile. He snuck in because he might still carry a first day grade.
95. Prescott Burgess, LB, Michigan – Burgess is an interesting LB for the future. If the converted safety can develop a mean streak to match his athleticism and size, he could surprise down the road.
96. Justin Vincent, RB, LSU
97. Danny Ware, RB, Georgia
98. Chris Henry, RB, Arizona – This last group of RBs amounts to throwing darts and hoping. Vincent has an outstanding year under his belt, but it was 2003. Ware also started off his career hot, only to tail off. Henry will turn heads as an athlete at the combine, but has turned that ability into very little production.
99. Chansi Stuckey, WR, Clemson – Stuckey is a good waterbug type WR, but I saw too much indecisiveness in his open field running in Senior Bowl practices. He has room to move up if he gets picked in the 3rd or 4th round in April, but I see many other WR prospects who should be picked ahead of him right now.
100. Matt Trannon, WR, Michigan St – Trannon is an interesting project at WR because his long, tall frame and basketball background. He has shown flashes, but he’s still learning how to exploit his size advantage. I’m still skeptical partially because it didn’t seem like they used him the right way in East Lansing.
JUST MISSED (and there’s about 20-30 guys I had trouble leaving off of this list):
QB
Toby Korrodi, Central Missouri St.
Justin Rascati, James Madison
Zac Taylor, Nebraska
Chris Leak, Florida
Jared Zabransky, Boise St
Luke Getsy, Akron
Tyler Palko, Pitt
RB
Germaine Race, Pittsburg St
Garrett Wolfe, Northern Illinois
Nate Ilaoa, Hawaii
Jon Cornish, Kansas
Jason Snelling, Virginia
Paul Mosley, Baylor
Jackie Battle, Houston
WR
David Clowney, Virginia Tech
Syvelle Newton, South Carolina
Joel Filani, Texas Tech
Jarrett Hicks, Texas Tech
Jerard Rabb, Boise St
Mike Walker, UCF
Ryne Robinson, Miami OH
Jordan Kent, Oregon
James Finley, Oregon
Junior Taylor, UCLA
Kendrick Dozier, Langston
TE
Matt Spaeth, Minnesota
Kevin Boss, Western Oregon
Johnny Harline, BYU
DL
Victor Abiamiri, DE, Notre Dame
Tim Crowder, DE, Texas
Quentin Moses, DE/OLB, Georgia
Jarvis Moss, DE, Florida
LaMarr Woodley, DE/OLB, Michigan
Brian Smith, DE/OLB, Missouri
Marcus Thomas, DT, Florida
Dan Bazuin, DE, Central Michigan
Ikaika Alama-Francis, DE, Hawaii
Adam Carriker, DE/DT, Nebraska
Ray McDonald, DE/DT, Florida
LB
Desmond Bishop, Cal
KaMichael Hall, Ga Tech
Taurean Charles, Bethune-Cookman
Rory Johnson, Mississippi
Sam Olajubutu, Arkansas
Tim Shaw, PSU
Quincy Black, UNM
Stephen Nicholas, USF
Michael Okwo, Stanford
DB
Daymeion Hughes, CB, Cal
Chris Houston, CB, Arkansas
Leon Hall, CB, Michigan
Fred Bennett, CB, South Car
Tanard Jackson, CB/S, Syracuse
Daren Stone, S, Maine
Dashon Goldson, CB/S, Washington
Josh Gattis, S, Wake Forest
Kevin Payne, S, Louisiana-Monroe
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