LB

Keith Rivers (Southern Cal) – By far the best pure LB in the draft. Both a big hitter and a sideline to sideline athlete. He could go 15 picks ahead of the next LB taken.

Xavier Adibi (Virginia Tech) – Quick, instinctive, smart, but not physical. He measures bigger than Rivers, but plays smaller. He can be the QB of a defense, because of his nose for the ball.

Erin Henderson (Maryland) – The brother of Minnesota's E.J. Henderson. Athletic and physical, he is a weak-side run stuffer, or a 3-4 ILB.

Dan Connor (Penn State) – Like Henderson could be a weak-side or an ILB. He's been a bit over promoted, but still a typically sound Penn State product.

Wesley Woodyard (Kentucky) – This is a riser. He dominated at the Senior Bowl. Undersized ( former DB), but fast, instinctive and poised. He could be a poor man's Brian Urlacher.

Curtis Lofton (Oklahoma) – The best pure interior LB. When he works in space, he can dominate. His measurables could be better, but he plays faster than he times.

Shawn Crable (Michigan) – An excellent combination of size and speed, he has not produced to match his measurables. A natural blitzer, who had a big senior year, he is a teaser.

Not strong at the top, with only one first 10 grade, but solid after pick 25. Some of the players which could have been listed here are listed at DE, which lowers the grade on the group. Grade – B.

Safety

Kenny Phillips (Miami) – He might have rated higher last year. Once thought a clear top 15 pick, because of a superior toolset, he has been sliding. A Wondrelic score of 16 is the latest blow.

Reggie Smith (Oklahoma) – Smith is a CB/S tweener, listed here as a safety. He has the ball skills to play center field, and a head hunter's mentality. At safety he is undersized.

DaJuan Morgan (North Carolina State) – Like Phillips, a superior athlete and natural run supporter. A bit small for strong safety.

Josh Barrett (Arizona State) – Barrett has outstanding size and good intangibles. He has not always played to the measurables. His ball skills and technique need work.

Quintin Demps (Texas El Paso) – Demps is a small school project, but his ball skills are superior. His measurables are only fair, and he is not a physical player.

After the first two, its a crap shoot. We have been spoiled recently. Only one first round grade, and its in the latter half. Grade – C- .

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (Tennessee State) – This is the biggest riser in the defense. He's small school, but with both instincts and measurables. If there is a shut down CB in the draft, he's the guy.

Leodis McKelvin (Troy) – Another small school player, but a school with a track record of success in the NFL (Osi Umenyiora and DeMarcus Ware). More a physical corner than a cover man. He needs work on his zone play. Good kick returner.

Antoine Cason (Arizona) – Where has the love gone? A four year starter, with an outstanding toolset, he would have been a first round pick last year. For no apparent reason, he seems to be sliding.

Aqib Talib ( Kansas) – This is another riser. Everyone knew he had good size and made plays all over the field. The question, which he has answered, was about speed. His fluidity makes him seem slower than he really is. He could make a team at WR or KR.

Mike Jenkins (South Florida) – He has all the physical tools; size, physicality, cover skills. The questions are about desire, work ethic, coach-ability.

Brandon Flowers (Virginia Tech) – He is small, slow and has character issues. The only thing he has going for him is an unparalleled ability to make plays. Only Talib compares on instincts.

The strength of the draft. At least five potential first-round picks. The depth goes on into the second day. There is no Deion, but several stars. Grade – A+ .