Prediction Key   

Ridiculous: A player will have a huge impact and could be a hall of famer one day.

Stud: A great player that will do better than expected and may have pro bowl potential.

Solid: A good player worthy of where they are selected.

Okay: A decent player that will be a role player at best.

Bust: A player that has been over valued, and will not develop into an impact player.

 

Quarterback Rankings

 

1. Matthew Stafford, Georgia

Best Fit: It would probably be best for him to sit a year behind a veteran and learn.  He is a very talented QB and still has a lot of room for improvement.

Prediction: Stud, has improved every year and become more of a QB than just a thrower, has a lot of potential but still needs to work on his footwork and not forcing throws.

NFL Comparison:  Jay Cutler

 

2. Josh Freeman, Kansas State

Best Fit: A team that he can learn from a veteran and develop could end up ruining his confidence if he is thrown into a starting job right away.

Prediction: Solid, really depends on which team drafts him, still needs a lot of work but could definitely turn into a good pro QB.

NFL Comparison: JaMarcus Russell

 

3. Mark Sanchez, USC

Best Fit: A west coast offense.  He needs an offense that is scripted and does not depend on the QB dropping back and just slinging it.

Prediction: Bust, he is over hyped, inexperienced, and is not a confident passer under pressure.  USC makes there QBs look better than they are.  He was not able to win a starting job from John David Booty (third-stringer on the Vikings), and was not nearly as good as Matt Leinart in the same system (Leinart is a back upto 36 year old Kurt Warner).

NFL Comparison: Derek Anderson

 

4. Nate Davis, Ball State

Best Fit: A back up.  Most QBs that come from small schools have a tough time transitioning to the NFL (except maybe QB Joe Flacco).  He needs to get used to the speed of the NFL before he gets a chance at playing.  

Prediction: Okay, he has good arm and had great production but is a project pick.

NFL Comparison: Anthony Wright

 

5. Graham Harrell, Texas Tech

Best Fit: A back up for a team that runs a lot of shotgun and has a good offensive line.  He proved in college that he is extremely effective QB in this type of system.

Prediction: Solid, will need to learn to take snaps and reads from under center but is a very good decision maker and has probably the best accuracy of anyone in the draft.

NFL Comparison: Ken Dorsey

 

Overall QB Class Grade: D+. The top three guys will most likely be drafted in the first round but after that, another QB may not be drafted until the 3^rd or 4^th round.

 

Running Back Rankings

 

1. Knowshon Moreno, Georgia

Best Fit: He is a guy that could start right away for any team.

Prediction: Stud, did not blow anyone away with his combine numbers but makes up for it with his intensity.

NFL Comparison: Kenny Irons

 

2. LeSean McCoy, Pittsburgh

Best Fit: An offensive line that can open holes.  He hits the hole very hard, but he is not going to run through defensive tackles.

Prediction: Stud, did not put up very great measurable at his pro day, but is one of the best running backs on tape and brings a lot of energy.

NFL Comparison: Thomas Jones

 

3. Chris “Beanie” Wells, Ohio St.

Best Fit: In a two back system, had problems with injuries at Ohio St. and is not a great outside runner.

Prediction: Okay, not overly fast, even though he is big he is really not a bruiser, a good back but benefited from a good offensive line, does not have first round talent.

NFL Comparison: Chris Perry

 

4. Donald Brown, Connecticut

Best Fit: A team where he is not asked to carry the offense, he is a great running back and has the intangibles, but he is not going to take over a game.

Prediction: Solid, good at everything but not really great at any one thing.  Will contribute if given playing time in the NFL, but is a stretch as a first round pick.

NFL Comparison: Matt Forte

 

5. James Davis, Clemson

Best Fit: Has great vision and cutting ability, would fit perfectly in a zone blocking scheme like the Broncos run.

Prediction: Stud, an underrated RB, deserves to go in the 2^nd or 3^rd round but probably will fall.

NFL Comparison: Joseph Addai

 

Overall RB Class Grade: B-. It is a very deep class of RBs but no really elite backs like an Adrian Peterson or Clinton Portis.

 

 

Wide Receiver Rankings

 

1. Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech

Best Fit: Does not really matter where he goes he is going to be a legit #1 WR.

Prediction: Ridiculous, he has every thing you look for in a WR.  

NFL Comparison: Andre Johnson

 

2. Jeremy Maclin, Missouri

Best Fit: A team that has possession WRs but is in need of a burner that can stretch the field.

Prediction: Stud, great speed and skills but even though he is over 6 feet and 200 lbs. he plays more like a small WR and not very physical, avoids contact.

NFL Comparison: Santana Moss

 

3. Darius Hayward-Bey, Maryland

Best Fit: Never really had a good QB in college, needs a QB that can air it out and get him the ball down field.

Prediction: Stud, may be a guy that takes a year or two to develop, but he has too much talent not to succeed.

NFL Comparison: Ted Ginn Jr.

 

4. Percy Harvin, Florida

Best Fit: A team that knows how to use him, gets him in open space with screens, reverses pitches, quick passes, treat him almost like a 3^rd down back.

Prediction: Solid, if a team uses him right he could scare a lot of defenses.  But if a team is looking for a true #1 WR this is not the guy they are looking for.

NFL Comparison: RB Reggie Bush

 

5. Hakeem Nicks, North Carolina

Upside: Fit in anywhere as a very good possession receiver.

Prediction: Stud, played on a bad team and was still was able to produce and get open. 

NFL Comparison: T.J. Houshmandzadeh

 

Overall WR Class Grade: A. Very deep class of WRs.  WRs usually fall later in the draft but it would not be surprising to see four or five go in the first 20 picks.

 

 

Tight End Rankings

 

1. Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma St.

Best Fit: He is good at receiving but nothing to write home about, more of a blocker and would be best suited on a running team that uses multiple tight ends.

Prediction: Solid, A good player but does not bring the athleticism or skill set that teams look for in TEs now a days (Antonio Gates, Vernon Davis, Kellen Winslow Jr., or Benjamin Watson).  Should at very best be a late first round pick.

NFL Comparison: Kyle Brady

 

2. Chase Coffman, Missouri

Best Fit: Big and can catch the ball (90 receptions his senior year).  Does not posses a lot of speed but would present a nice threat over the middle for any team.

Prediction: Stud, a very productive TE in college, he is a guy that just finds away to get open and is more athletic then he appears.

NFL Comparison: Kevin Boss

 

3. Cornelius Ingram, Florida

Best Fit: He should be used mostly as a pass catching tight end, plays more like a WR than a TE.

Prediction: Solid, maybe considered a first round pick if he did not injure himself before his senior year.

NFL Comparison: TE Alex Smith

 

4. Travis Beckum, Wisconsin

Best Fit: Another guy that had a poor senior year due to multiple injuries.  He is a very good pass catching tight end and does not mind taking the hits over the middle.

Prediction: Solid, if he can stay healthy he would be a steal for any team.

NFL Comparison: Billy Miller

 

5. Jared Cook, South Carolina

Best Fit: Extremely athletic dominated at the combine, but is very raw as a tight end and needs a lot of work and coaching.  Best fit would be at a team that has depth and patience.

Prediction: Okay, lot of potential but just has too many things that he needs to work on.

NFL Comparison: L.J. Smith

 

Overall TE Class Grade: C-. There is some talent in the 2^nd to 3^rd round range but there really is no standout guy that should be selected in the first round.

 

 

Offensive Lineman Rankings

 

1. OT Jason Smith, Baylor

Best Fit: A rare talent at tackle that could fit in on any team and make a big impact right away.

Prediction: Ridiculous, has everything you look for in a franchise left tackle.

NFL Comparison: D'Brickashaw Ferguson

 

2. OT Eugene Monroe, Virginia

Best Fit: Another very talented player, he could fit in on any team and play left or right tackle and even guard if needed.

Prediction: Ridiculous, comes from a school with a history of superb offensive lineman and he should be no different.

NFL Comparison: Jordan Gross  

 

3. OT Andre Smith, Alabama

Best Fit: All sorts of talents, but needs a coach and a team that will get the most out of him

Prediction: Stud, if he did not have character concerns he would probably be the first tackle drafted.

NFL Comparison: Walter Jones

 

4. OT Michael Oher, Ole Miss

Best Fit: Lot of skills but needs a coach that keeps him motivated and can get the most out of him.

Prediction: Stud, another guy with all the physical tools.

NFL Comparison: Orlando Pace

 

5. C Alex Mack, California

Best Fit: He could play any where; he brings a lot of intensity and is not afraid to go all out until the whistle blows.

Prediction: Stud, a great player with the attitude you look for in a center.

NFL Comparison: Shaun O’hara

 

Overall Offensive Line Class Grade: A+. A very deep, very talented group of linemen.  One of the best classes in a long time.