TOP 40 PROSPECTS 

Meet the men of the 2008 Draft... 

THE MEN OF THE 2008 DRAFT. WHO ARE THEY, WHERE do they come from and what can they bring to NFL teams? From Darren McFadden, Glenn Dorsey, Joe Flacco to John David Booty, our ranking of the Top 40 players from around the nation that will likely find a new home in the big league on April 26th... 

 1  Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
As accomplished as any college running back in the draft, McFadden piled up accolades in 2007. He was second overall in the Heisman voting (his second year running), he won the Walter Camp Award as the nation's top player, took the Doak Walker Award as college ball's top running back, and was an Associated Press All-American. He improved in all three seasons at Arkansas, showing remarkable consistency and production. Few running backs in recent years have combined McFadden's size and explosiveness. He can both overpower and outrun tacklers, and is a constant danger to score with his closing speed. McFadden also has shown the ability to catch (and even throw) the football. He plays with a real edge to his game, although that edge has been a problem off the field in scrapes with trouble. If he can get past those character concerns, McFadden has all the tools to be a superstar in any NFL backfield.

 2  Chris Long DE, Virginia
The Ted Hendricks Award winner as the nation's best defensive end and an Associated Press All-American, Long was also the ACC's Defensive Player of the Year in 2007. The son of former Raiders' Hall of Famer defensive end Howie Long, Chris gets his natural talent from an obvious place. But he has shown he is just as hard a worker and as intense a performer as his father. He simply dominated the opposition in his senior season, posting 14 sacks and driving quarterbacks nuts. But he also showed he can do a great job of picking up the run, piling up 79 tackles. A team leader and a guy who never stops playing or working, Long knows what it takes to succeed. His only drawback is a lack of truly elite size or closing speed, but he's not bad in those areas at all. He's the type who can start from the get-go for an NFL team and be a star.

 3  Jake Long, OT, Michigan
An Associated Press All-American and runner-up for the Outland and Lombardi trophies, Long was the Big Ten's Offensive Lineman of the Year two years in a row. A natural leader and an incredibly consistent and dominant performer, Long plays with a rare mix of focus, efficiency, and raw size. He excels at plowing the field for the running game but is also quick and long enough to adjust in space and handle edge rushers. Despite some injuries early in his career at Michigan, Long dominated almost the whole time he was a starter after that thanks to a great attitude and a feisty demeanor. While he's not a fantastic natural athlete he makes excellent use of his size and his solid mobility. Long's frame and makeup project well all across the line, if not at left tackle. This guy has the whole package to be a star in the NFL.

 4  Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State
A finalist for the Ted Hendricks Award (given annually to the nation's top defensive end), Gholston (pictured) dominated the Big Ten in his final season with the Buckeyes. In terms of raw physical gifts, few in the draft can match Gholston. He has the height (6-4) to play both outside linebacker and defensive end, and at 260 pound of raw muscle he doesn't get pushed around by anyone. A bit of a late bloomer in both high school and college, Gholston brings a rare mix of explosiveness, elite-level speed, and aggressive power to the end position. He dominated opposing linemen in 2007 to pile up 14 sacks, and many scouts believe he is just scratching the surface of his potential. Gholston is also a hard worker in the weight room who persevered through several nagging injuries at Ohio State. A Pro Bowl-caliber talent.

 5  Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
Few players in college football were as decorated this season as Dorsey. The winner of the Nagurski (best defensive player), Lombardi (best lineman), Lott (defensive 'impact'), and Outland (interior lineman) trophies in 2007, Dorsey is quite simply the most accomplished and dominant defensive force coming out of the NCAA. The SEC's Defensive Player of the Year was superb in his final two seasons at LSU, anchoring a great defense and causing major matchup problems in the middle for all his opponents. His combination of power, explosiveness, and tenacity is almost unmatched amongst linemen in this draft. He can both collapse the pocket and pick up the run, and he loves to get in the backfield and sack the QB. A leader as well, his only potential drawback is a tendency to sustain minor injuries. Still, he's a polished powerhouse who will help an NFL team right away.

 6  Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
The Pac-Ten Defensive Player of the Year and an Associated Press All-American, Ellis is an explosive powerhouse in the middle of the D-line. A quick, powerful, and extremely active nose guard, Ellis excels at collapsing the pocket and breaking up plays with sacks and deflections. He makes great use of his hands and his play-reading skills, which also helps him excel at picking up the run. While he isn't an ideal match for every defensive scheme, he is the type of interior lineman that certain NFL teams love to plug into a speed-based system. Some minor injury problems are a bit of a concern but Ellis recovered well from them to simply dominate the opposition. On the right team he has the potential to be a star in the NFL, and soon.

 7  Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College
The winner of both the Unitas award (best senior quarterback) and the Manning award (best college quarterback), Ryan has a pretty impressive resume heading into the draft. The ACC's Player of the Year posted a dominant senior season after bouncing back from a broken foot in his junior campaign. Ryan really stepped up in his senior year and showed great leadership and a willingness to throw in any situation. That led to a few too many mistakes at times, but also paid off with a huge year as he totalled 31 touchdown strikes, 19 interceptions, and 4,507 passing yards. He's a big, lanky presence on the field with very good vision and excellent focus. While not a great athlete, Ryan is pretty mobile and makes up for average arm strength by seeing the field well and spreading the ball around. He is a smart, accomplished, and high-character QB prospect.

 8  Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State  
An Ohio Valley Conference first-teamer the past two years, Rodgers- Cromartie is an impressive athlete. Also a track and field star for State, he excelled in sprinting events, long jump, and high jump. His dominance at the small-school level came early and was consistent through his four college seasons. Rodgers-Cromartie has an excellent frame for a cover corner and has shown superb hands for bringing the ball back, both on interceptions and as a kick returner. His lack of exposure to big-school football means he might be a bit of a project early on, but he has the overall goods to do well in the NFL if he keeps working hard.
 
 9  Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville
A can't-miss prospect coming out of high school, Brohm (pictured) mostly didn't miss in his time at Louisville. Adversity played a big role in his college career, and that can be seen as both a strength and a weakness. The Big East's Offensive Player of the Year in 2005, Brohm looked on the fast-track to NFL stardom early at Louisville. But then major injuries to his knee (a torn ACL), thumb, and shoulder slowed his progress. Yet he persevered, and despite a disappointing 2007 campaign for Louisville in general, Brohm reminded scouts how talented he is. Brohm is a very confident, accurate, and balanced passer, one who makes good decisions quickly and executes exceptionally well. While not particularly fast or strong, he is very fluid and coordinated in the pocket and has good size. His leadership ability has been questioned, but he has mostly delivered when healthy. Could be a real gem.

 10  Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois
The Big Ten's Offensive Player of the Year, Mendenhall is coming off a dominant junior season with the Illini. It was his first campaign as a full-time starter, and Mendenhall didn't disappoint. He piled up almost 2,000 all-purpose yards and scored 19 total times in 13 games. A rare combination of power, explosiveness, and quickness, Mendenhall has the whole package at tailback. His biggest strength is his ability to read blocks and power the ball inside, but he also has the athleticism and instincts to be able to run outside and also reliably catch throws in the passing game. While his speed isn't elite it's certainly above-average, and superb for a guy with his bulk. Some have criticized Mendenhall's late-bloomer status, but he certainly produced in 2007.

 11  Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State
A first-team All-WAC selection and a member of several All-America squads, Clady is one of the premier left tackles coming out of college football. Simply massive at 6-6 and about 320 pounds, Clady also brings a rare athleticism to the field for a guy his size. He has great feet and is very fluid in space, showing excellent quickness, balance, coordination, and instincts. He doesn't have as much experience as some other top tackle prospects in this draft but Clady's raw package of size, athleticism, and work ethic are probably second to none. He has the goods to be a starter in the NFL soon, especially as a pass blocker. Once he adds a little more power, bulk, and technique, he may be a true dominator on the left side.

 12  Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
A first-team All-Big East selection this year, Jenkins is an experienced and accomplished defensive back. He started his career strongly with South Florida, showing supreme athleticism and cover skills early on. His draft stock dropped off in 2006 after an inconsistent junior year, which was followed by Jenkins getting arrested during an altercation outside a bar. But he re-focused himself and enjoyed a very impressive senior campaign. Jenkins has been very good at both cornerback and at safety, and has the size and athleticism to succeed and even excel in the NFL. His above-average speed and athleticism make him very versatile, and he has a lot of experience. Jenkins also offers some appeal as a return man in the pros.

 13  Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy
An All-Sun Belt first-teamer and a member of several All-American first-team lists, McKelvin can flat out burn. He is one of the nation's most electrifying return men, and showed steady progress at Troy in recent seasons as a cornerback. McKelvin is a constant threat to score, whether it's with an interception, punt return, or kick return. He wowed NFL teams with a 4.38 40-yard dash at the Indy Combine, and his rapid improvement as a defensive player has him looking like a prized prospect. McKelvin's lack of great success against major competition may be his only drawback, but the NFL is loaded with small-school players who don't have as much talent as this guy. He has the goods to be a real force at the NFL level on both defense and special teams.

 14  Joe Flacco, QB, Delaware
A two-time All-Colonial conference first-teamer, Flacco is a small-school quarterback with big-time NFL potential. After dominating the competition in his senior season (only his second as a starter after transferring from Pitt) Flacco did much the same to the competition at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. He far and away has the best combination of size and arm strength of any QB in the draft, and his very accurate and production senior campaign at Delaware suggests he is the real deal. Flacco is also a decent athlete for a guy his size (6-6) and has shown the ability to scramble a bit with solid wheels. He is also a good leader and a hard worker, making him probably the most intriguing QB pick in the draft.

 15  DeSean Jackson, WR/PR, California
An All-Pac Ten second-teamer as both a wideout and a punt returner, Jackson (pictured) is one of the fastest and most electrifying players in the draft. His 4.35 in the 40-yard dash at the Indy Combine cemented him as an elite burner at the wide receiver position. Add to that his incredibly productive three years at Cal (during which he scored 29 total times on offense and special teams) and Jackson has star potential in the NFL. A thumb injury slowed him down in his junior campaign, but he did enough to remind teams that he is one of this draft's elite prospects. He has explosive ability and good hands, making him a constant threat to go deep on both passes and returns. There is some question about his size (with differing reports putting his height between 5-10 and 6-feet) and he needs to add some weight. But there is no questioning this guy's big-play ability.

 16  Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
A two-time All-Big Twelve teamer, Sweed has all the goods to be a star NFL receiver. Unfortunately a lingering wrist injury really curtailed his 2007 senior season, and he eventually needed surgery to correct it. Before the injury, Sweed was a highly productive and often outstanding college receiver. His combination of size, leaping ability, great hands, and good speed combine to make him very hard to contain down the field. He also shows willingness and good technique as a blocker, making him the entire package. He was a very consistent performer and a team leader when on the field. There are some questions about how much raw quickness he has, but Sweed has shown plenty of mobility. All he needs to do is put injury concerns behind him, and he might be a real steal for the right NFL squad.

 17  Keith Rivers, OLB, USC
An All-Pac Ten first-teamer and a member of several All-American lists, Rivers has everything that NFL teams want in a linebacker prospect. Blessed with an tall, athletic frame that is both strong and fluid, Rivers is a superb athlete. He uses excellent balance and coordination to adapt to plays and his tenacity and focus are second to none in pursuit. When added to his above-average speed and quickness, Rivers is a tackling machine who seems everywhere on the field. His excellence at reading plays and staying with them also makes him very good in coverage and on blitz plays. Rivers has had some minor injury concerns, but he has battled through them. He has the goods to be a star at the NFL level.

 18  Kenny Phillips, S, Miami (Florida)
After being named to the All-ACC first team as a junior, Phillips decided to go pro. Regarded by many as the best safety prospect in the Draft, Phillips has the whole package: excellent mobility, a big frame, great athleticism, supreme quickness, and a nose for the ball. He was extremely productive at Miami from very early on in his college career. He is a tackling machine who gets to the ball in a hurry, and he has the hands and footwork to be dangerous in the interception game. Phillips probably needs to add a little bulk to his frame to do as well in the NFL, but he has the frame to do so without it affecting other parts of his game. He has the goods to be a starter soon as a pro.

 19  Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas
A former Orange Bowl MVP and a 2007 Associated Press All-American, Talib is an accomplished college cornerback. Possessing all the tools NFL teams look for in a defensive back (size at 6-1, athleticism, and solid speed) Talib is a master of breaking up passes and picking them off. He had 13 total interceptions in his three years with the Jayhawks, and showed enough skill and talent that Kansas also occasionally used him as a wideout. Talib is a slick and confident player whose versatility will be appealing as he makes the transition to pro ball. He needs to round out his fundamentals and work on his focus, as he got burned enough at unexpected times to make it an issue. If he can keep working hard though, Talib can be an above-average NFL defensive back.

 20  Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State
An All-Big Ten second-teamer this year, Thomas has opened a lot of eyes amongst NFL scouts, coaches, and GMs. As a junior college transfer in 2006, Thomas didn't do much in his first full season with Michigan State. But in 2007 he simply exploded, leading the Big Ten in receiving yards (with 1,260). He was also a standout kickoff returner, and then after a stellar outing at the Indy Combine (where he ran a 4.4 in the 40-yard dash) Thomas looks like one of the biggest sleepers in this year's draft. His combination of elite raw jets and excellent size (he's roughly 6-2, 220) have several teams very, very intrigued in a year that doesn't offer many lights-out prospects at wide receiver.

 21  Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson
An ACC honorable mention this past season (his junior campaign), Merling is an intense competitor who brings a lot to the defensive line. His combination of size, power, and quickness makes him able to pretty much do it all along the line, from coming off the edge to collapsing the pocket to, especially, stopping the run. Merling has good fundamentals and great work ethic, and never takes a play off. While not an elite edge guy (due to only average foot-speed), Merling does have the quickness and effort to get to the quarterback. He may be better-suited to certain defensive set-ups than others, but he is the type who will find a way to succeed regardless.

 22  Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida
All-SEC second-team in 2007 (his junior season), Harvey (pictured) was very productive in the limited time he saw in college. He started just 18 games at Florida, but was simply dominant during them. Possessing very good raw size and athleticism, Harvey uses it to his maximum advantage. He is tenacious and crafty, showing the ability to explode off the edge and get into the backfield, but also read plays and pick up the run. He has elite sack skills and instincts, despite the fact he does not have elite foot-speed or bulk. Harvey dominated the competition at the college level but will need to add a lot of muscle to do the same in the NFL. That said, he is a very hard worker and a smart football player who simply finds ways to succeed.

 23  Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma
A member of the All-Big Twelve second team in both 2006 and 2007, Kelly is an accomplished receiver and end-zone target. Big, strong, and very smooth on the field, Kelly knows how to get open and is an extremely consistent and sure-handed receiver. He has the size and power to simply overwhelm most cornerbacks, also showing great focus and the ability to make tough catches look easy. From a pure yardage perspective he wasn't as productive as other top wideouts in this draft, but much of that was because of the system Kelly played in. He also has some minor durability concerns, but overall Kelly is a classic big receiver prospect who has the goods to be a productive possession and end zone target at the next level.

 24  Calais Campbell, DE, Miami (Florida)
After a fantastic sophomore campaign in 2006 that saw him post 10.5 sacks and 84 tackles, Campbell had the look of a phenom. Yet his 2007 follow-up as a junior was somewhat disappointing, making Campbell a talented prospect with some question marks. He still earned an All-ACC honorable mention for his work this past season, but it's a bit of a head-scratcher why he declined. His massive frame (6-8, 290) is unique in this draft class, and Campbell brings an uncommon athleticism for a guy his size. He is also a tenacious and intense player who has a good overall quickness and excels at both sacking the quarterback and in picking up the run. That said, issues about his consistency and average foot-speed are ones he will have to overcome as a pro.

 25  Chris Johnson, RB, East Carolina
The Conference USA Special Teams Player of the Year, Johnson appears to be the fastest player in the draft. He simply blew away the competition at the Indy Combine with a 4.24 in the 40-yard dash (which is as fast as anyone who has ever been electronically timed in Indy). At East Carolina he was extremely accomplished during his whole career there as an all-purpose guy, excelling as a running back, receiver, and kick returner. But his senior campaign was truly special, as Johnson averaged six yards per carry as a tailback. His lack of bulk is an issue, as Johnson has been a little injury-prone. He needs to add some muscle, and be more focused on either running back or wide receiver. Whatever he decides, he has the goods to be an explosive playmaker on several fronts.

 26  Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina
In his senior year Balmer (pictured) really made a name for himself, earning All-ACC second-team honors along the way. A bit of a late bloomer, Balmer moved between end and tackle during his time at UNC and finally settled in at tackle, where he was dominant in his final year. A superb athlete for a guy his size, Balmer has a nice first step and the ability to move fluidly in open space. His ability to collapse the pocket and get into the backfield is above-average, and he also does a good job of picking up running backs. Balmer's limited period of dominance raises questions about his focus, but he certainly delivered as a senior. He might be a very useful defensive lineman at the next level because of his ability to play several positions.

 27  Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon
First-team All-Pac Ten in 2007, Stewart is one of the elite running backs in this year's draft. Despite only starting for one year and leaving after his junior season, Stewart was extremely productive in his time at Oregon. He showed confidence and big-play ability from the get-go, as a running back, kickoff returner, and occasional receiver. Stewart also kept producing through several injuries, especially to his ankles. He is a powerful inside runner with top-tier speed, and his good hands make him a good receiving option and excellent special teams option. He also uses his bulk to maximum effect as a blocker. Stewart was dominant regardless of how much he played, which bodes well for his success at the NFL level.

 28  Lawrence Jackson, DE, USC
USC's team captain, Jackson was named to the All-Pac-Ten first team in 2007. Highly experienced and productive in a top program, Jackson played mostly end but also moved inside during his college career. He showed poise and power early on, and finished his time at USC 30.5 sacks. His blend of power, size, and quickness makes him an obvious fit for a 4-3 system in the pros. Jackson has the overall goods to be an above-average starter in the NFL, although some question his raw speed and overall explosiveness coming off the edge. He certainly has the goods to be a regular contributor early on in the NFL.

 29  Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh
A bit of a late bloomer, Otah was honored as an All-Big East first-teamer in his senior campaign. As a junior college transfer, Otah played only two years at Pitt but he was very promising and productive during that time. Simply massive, Otah has the ideal build NFL teams look for in an offensive lineman. His combination of height, width, and girth are top tier and he is also very nimble for a man of his dimensions. He has sneaky-quick feet and underrated athleticism. All that said, Otah is still very raw and has a lot to prove in the conditioning department. His foot-speed is questionable and he has a lot of work to do in terms of technique. Otah can be an above-average NFL lineman if he keeps working hard.

 30  Quentin Groves, DE/OLB, Auburn
As a junior in 2006 Groves was named to the All-SEC first team. That fantastic season displayed just how dominant this supreme athlete can be, but also underscored some of lingering issues for NFL teams. In that same year Groves was distracted by two disturbing off-field incidents. Groves also played exceptionally well as a senior in 2007, but dislocated toes ended his season early. Few defensive end/outside linebacker prospects have as much raw athleticism as Groves, who has superb fluidity, speed, quickness, and power. He showed the ability to dominate at times coming off the edge and running down the ball, but his inconsistency, injury history, and off-field incidents are worrisome. Still, he's an elite defensive line prospect.

 31  Branden Albert, OG/T, Virginia
All-ACC for all three years at Virginia, Albert is an intriguing offensive line prospect. Blessed with an uncommon mix of size, quickness, and hands for an offensive guard, Albert probably has the overall goods to be an above-average tackle as a pro. That said, he can probably be even better at guard, where he was dominant and productive throughout his college career. Albert is superb in pass protection, locking up his man and serving as a wall on the front line. He also has the mobility and size to drop back and pick up plays as they unfold in open space. Albert could use some more seasoning and a little more lower-body bulk, but as a raw prospect he is probably second to none in the guard category.

 32  Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas
Honored by the Associated Press as a third-team All-American, Jones (pictured) was also first-team All-SEC as a kickoff man. Incredibly productive in a limited role at Arkansas, Jones managed to make a name for himself despite backing up Darren McFadden. A true threat in three different dimensions (running, receiving, and returning), Jones is a very balanced athlete who has excellent feet, hands, and explosiveness. While his raw speed isn't elite, Jones is the type of runner who can hit that upper gear in an instant. That makes him a constant threat to score, and his excellent fundamentals make him a very versatile option for pro teams. He probably needs to bulk up to be a featured back in the pros, but Jones has the goods to be very productive right away in a variety of roles.

 33  Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt
An All-SEC first-teamer, Williams showed steady progress throughout his time at Vandy. Smart, instinctive, and possessing an excellent overall approach, Williams brings a rare mix of finesse and athleticism and finesse to the tackle position. He is a cool customer on the field and simply makes the right play, getting good angles on his man and then locking down, especially in pass protection. He is very, very mobile and has the ability to recover very well in space, although he rarely needs to. The biggest issue with Williams is his overall power. He is not explosive, bulky, or nasty, which raises questions about his ability to do well in run support. That said, he made great strides along the way at Vandy and has the goods to keep improving in every way.

 34  Dustin Keller, TE, Purdue
As a second-team All-Big Ten honoree in 2007, Keller capped a college career that saw him grow substantially, physically and as a football player. He wasn't seen as a top tight end prospect for much of his college career, but a superb senior campaign and then a jaw-dropping workout at the Indy Combine have seen his stock soar. Keller started out as a wideout with Purdue but added a massive amount of muscle over his time at college, enough to become a top tight end. Being undersized he is not an ideal player for teams looking for a block-first tight end, but as a pass-catching athlete he is probably without peer in the tight end class. Keller's speed, hands, and intensity are second to none amongst the position's top prospects, and he could be a real steal in this draft.

 35  Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College
Despite some struggles in moving to left tackles as a senior, Cherilus still earned All-ACC second-team honors in 2007. Huge and powerful, Cherilus is the latest in a long line of massive quality O-linemen from the Boston College program. He started all four years with BC, three at right tackle and the final one at left. In that final year he struggled with technique and penalties, but he has the mobility, athleticism, and talent to eventually be solid on the left side. Cherilus is a dominant drive blocker in the running game who can simply steamroll opponents moving forward. He has all the tools to be a regular and above-average starter in the NFL, and could be a bit of a steal because of his aberrant senior campaign.

 36  Ali Highsmith, LB, LSU
In 2007 Highsmith was an All-SEC first-teamer, the culmination of a very productive career at LSU. An intense competitor with a high motor and above-average athleticism, Highsmith is always around the action. He emerged as a team leader for LSU after an excellent sophomore campaign, and didn't let up his final two years. As a cousin of former NFL running back Alonzo Highsmith, Ali has good football bloodlines. He played several positions in the linebacking corps for LSU and is the type who will succeed quickly wherever he lands. His size (or lack of it) makes him an ideal fit for a speed-based system, but he should be able to excel if he finds himself in the right program.

 37  Dan Connor, LB, Penn State
An Associated Press All-American first-teamer, Connor is out-and-out a tackling machine. He posted a whopping 145 tackles as a senior and 113 more as a junior, both testaments to his focus and consistency. Connor played several positions for the Nittany Lions and excelled wherever he played. He was excellent from his first season but also displayed excellent progress along the way. A solid athlete with good size, he has shown the ability to read plays well and do well in both blitz and pass coverage situations. He is typical of the gritty, intense, and productive linebackers Penn State produces. If he adds a little muscle he may quickly become a consistent regular in the NFL.

 38  Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona
A highly accomplished and consistent performer, Cason (pictured) curried All-Pac Ten first team honors as both a cornerback and a return man in 2007. Cason is a shut-down cover corner who was very successful and durable in his four years at Arizona. He displays good size, excellent overall athleticism, a focused attitude at all times, and a smart approach highlighted by superb instincts and strong fundamentals. The only thing missing is top-tier speed, but as a member of Arizona's track team he is hardly slow in any sense. Cason also comes from a family that has had several NFL players, so he comes by his talent naturally. He is the type who will be able to contribute right away (either in the secondary or on special teams) and could be a steal for the right NFL team.

 39  Sam Baker, OT, USC
Regardless of nagging injuries his senior year, Baker was an All-Pac Ten first-teamer. A very sound and nimble pass protector, Baker was highly productive and accomplished throughout his career at USC, despite being banged up regularly. He is a smart and consistent blocker, able to take good angles and make strong adjustments to speed rushers off the edge. He could stand to add some bulk and power to his game, and Baker is not the mauler type who will flatten people as a run-driver. As the son of Arena Football commissioner David Baker he has obvious knowledge of the game. Sam Baker has the goods to be a good left tackle at the NFL level, and just needs to work on his conditioning, power, and intensity level.

 40  Reggie Smith, S, Oklahoma
Named to the Associated Press All-Big Twelve first team in 2007, Smith decided to go pro after an impressive three years at Oklahoma. A highly versatile defensive back, Smith played at cornerback and safety and returned both kickoffs and punts for the Sooners. He uses his big frame and solid all-round athleticism to exert his will over his man and always seems to be around the ball. His nose for the action and solid anticipation skills lead to high tackle totals and he shows good ball skills taking the ball the other way on interceptions. While not blessed with elite speed, he is not sub-par in this area. His consistent production and all-round ability suggest he might be ready to contribute right away, especially on special teams.