2008 NFL Draft - The
Positions
The top offensive players, the class analysis, and rankings
After The Combines
By
Pete Fiutak
-
2008 NFL Draft Prospects &
Class Looks - Defense
Quarterbacks
The class is ...
not as good as it may appear unless you like quantity over quality.
No, this might not be an amazing class, but it’s relatively deep.
With the 2009 quarterback class potentially the worst of all-time,
and it could be even worse if Tim Tebow and Matthew Stafford choose
to return for their senior seasons, many teams could overpay this
year for mediocre talents. There are five likely starters, but there
isn't a scary-good prospect with tremendous upside, like JaMarcus
Russell was last year. However, there are several solid veteran
passers who teams can build around, with Brian Brohm a potential Pro
Bowl difference maker with the right targets to work with. Is there
a Super Bowl winner in the lot? If Matt Ryan goes No. 1 overall,
he'd better be, but he's likely a Matt Hasselbeck who'll be good,
but not a top five quarterback.
Most overrated prospect: Matt Ryan, Boston College - He
might have played in Boston and he might be tall and smart, but he's
not Tom Brady. No. 1 overall? Maybe to get a team like Miami from A
to B.
Most underrated prospect: Erik Ainge, Tennessee - A precise
passer who grew over his four years as a starter. He made everyone
around him better as he flourished under offensive coordinator David
Cutcliffe.
NFL Starters
1. Brian Brohm, Louisville
2. Matt Ryan, Boston College
3. Chad Henne, Michigan
4. Joe Flacco, Delaware
5. Andre Woodson, Kentucky
Reserves & Projects
6.
Colt Brennan, Hawaii
7. Erik Ainge, Tennessee
8. John David Booty, USC
9. Dennis Dixon, Oregon
10. Kevin O'Connell, San Diego State
11. Sam Keller, Nebraska
12. Matt Flynn, LSU
13. Joshua Jackson, San Diego
14. Alex Brink, Washington State
15. Paul Smith, Tulsa
Running Backs
The class is ... saved by the underclassmen. It looked
horrendous until Darren McFadden, Rashard Mendenhall Jonathan
Stewart, Felix Jones, Ray Rice and Kevin Smith chose to come out
early. There are at least three franchise backs certain to go in the
top 15 with Jones and Charles the lightning-fast wild-cards who
could be early second round steals if they don't go late in the
first.
Most overrated prospect: Darren McFadden, Arkansas - Think
Robert Smith, not Eric Dickerson. That's not a slam. His phenomenal
workout at the Combine makes him a must-have top five pick, but with
the sudden depth of this class, there's no reason to overpay for
him.
Most underrated prospect: Ray Rice, Rutgers -
Ultra-productive in college he then showed he's worthy of possibly
becoming someone's No. 1 back by showing speed and quickness at the
Combine. Everyone already knows he's tough.
NFL Starters
1. Rashard Mendenhall, Illinois
2.
Darren McFadden, Arkansas
3. Jonathan Stewart, Oregon
4. Felix Jones, Arkansas
5.
Chris Johnson, East Carolina
6. Ray Rice, Rutgers
7.
Jamaal Charles, Texas
8.
Kevin Smith, UCF
Reserves & Projects
9. Ryan Torain, Arizona State
10. Tashard Choice, Georgia Tech
11. Allen Patrick, Oklahoma
12. Steve Slaton, West Virginia
13. Mike Hart, Michigan
14. Dantrell Savage, Oklahoma State
15. Marcus Thomas, UTEP
16. Rafael Little, Kentucky
17. Jalen Parmele, Toledo
18. Matt Forte, Tulane
19. Justin Forsett, California
20. Thomas Brown, Georgia
FB1. Jacob Hester, LSU
FB2. Owen Schmitt, West Virginia
FB3. Peyton Hillis, Arkansas
Wide
Receivers
The class is ... very, very deep with very, very
above-average prospects. Is there a strong No. 1 target who'll be
the go-to guy to change a franchise around? No, but there's a
boatload of excellent No. 2s. There's enough value to allow receiver
strapped teams to go for one big name and then wait and load up
early on the second day. Florida's Andre Caldwell, Missouri's
William Franklin, and Alabama's D.J. Hall will be regulars on
someone's roster, and they're likely going around the fifth round.
Most overrated prospect: DeSean Jackson, California - If you
want a field-stretcher who can draw attention away from a go-to
receiver, Jackson's the guy, but he'll be overpriced where he'll go.
Would you drop a 17th pick on Donte Stallworth, because that's who
Jackson will become.
Most underrated prospect:
Jordy Nelson,
Kansas State - Inexplicably ignored, he has size, is among the
draft's most physical receivers, and was a proven producer against
good No. 1 corners.
NFL Starters
1.
Malcolm Kelly, Oklahoma
2. Mario Manningham, Michigan
3. Early Doucet, LSU
4. Andre Caldwell, Florida
5. DeSean Jackson, California
6. Jordy Nelson, Kansas State
7. Devin Thomas, Michigan State
8. James Hardy, Indiana
9. Limas Sweed, Texas
Reserves & Projects
10. Will Franklin, Missouri
11. Lavelle Hawkins, California
12. Darius Reynaud, West Virginia
13. Eddie Royal, Virginia Tech
14. Marcus Smith, New Mexico
15. Davone Bess, Hawaii
16. Adarius Bowman, Oklahoma State
17. Harry Douglas, Louisville
18. Earl Bennett, Vanderbilt
19. Mario Urrutia, Louisville
20. Dorien Bryant, Purdue
Tight Ends
The class is ... very good. Kellen Davis could easily be the
top-ranked tight end if he plays up to his talent level, while Fred
Davis, John Carlson and Martellus Bennett could be starters from day
one. Dustin Keller went from being anywhere from third to
seventh to the No. 1 guy after a phenomenal workout at the Combine.
Most overrated prospect: John Carlson, Notre Dame - After
problems with a serious illness before the Senior Bowl, he hasn't
recovered yet and hasn't shown off much in the way of NFL speed or
athleticism.
Most underrated prospect:
Tom Santi,
Virginia - He suffered from being compared to fellow Cavalier and
current Pittsburgh Steeler, Heath Miller. While he's nowhere near
that talented, he could still be a strong contributor in a two-tight
end set.
NFL Starters
1.
Dustin Keller, Purdue
2. Fred Davis, USC
3.
Martellus Bennett, Texas A&M
4.
Kellen Davis, Michigan State
5. Jermichael Finley, Texas
6. John Carlson, Notre Dame
7.
Martin Rucker, Missouri
Reserves & Projects
8. Brad Cottam, Tennessee
9. Gary Barnidge, Louisville
10. Tom Santi, Virginia
11. Craig Stevens, California
12. Joey Haynos, Maryland
13. Jacob Tamme, Kentucky
14. Joe Jon Finley, Oklahoma
15. Adam Bishop, Nevada
Offensive Tackles
The class is ... interesting. General managers are probably
going to lose the most sleep trying to figure out the pecking order
more than any other position. Jake Long and Ryan Clady are locks,
and then put Sam Baker, Chris Williams, Jeff Otah, Gosder Cherilus
and Anthony Collins in a bad, take one out, and you probably have
the No. 3. There's athleticism, size, and a lot of talent in a deep
class.
Most overrated prospect: Gosder Cherilus, Boston College -
He was better as a junior. While he'll be strong if he's asked to
run block, there's a major question mark about his ability against
speed pass rushers.
Most underrated prospect:
Chris
Williams, Vanderbilt - Depending on the team, he could be the ideal
fit. Pass protection is an issue, but with his athleticism, he's one
of the best tackles in the draft on the move.
NFL Starters
1.
Jake
Long, Michigan
2. Ryan Clady, Boise State
3.
Chris Williams, Vanderbilt
4. Sam Baker, USC
5. Jeff Otah, Pitt
6. Anthony Collins, Kansas
7. Duane Brown, Virginia Tech
8.
Gosder Cherilus, Boston College
9.
Tony Hills, Texas
10. King Dunlap, Auburn
11.
Jeremy Zuttah, Rutgers
Reserves & Projects
12. John Greco, Toledo
13. Pedro Sosa, Rutgers
14.
Oniel Cousins, UTEP
15.
Franklin Dunbar, Middle Tennessee
Offensive Guards
The class is ... it's not as deep as tackle, but it's fine.
Branden Albert and Chilo Rachal will start from day one, while Eric
Young could be a steal if he's over a knee injury.
Most overrated prospect: Drew Radovich, USC - While he'll
certainly make a team and will be in a rotation, he's not a starter
to count on at an NFL level. He was helped by a good line around
him.
Most underrated prospect: Branden Albert, Virginia -
Tackle-athletic in a body of a guard, he'll be a mid-second round
steal and a cog in someone's system for a decade.
NFL Starters
1.
Branden Albert, Virginia
2. Chilo Rachal, USC
3. Eric Young, Tennessee
4. Andrew Crummey, Maryland
5. Mike McGlynn, Pitt
6. Drew Radovich, USC
7. Roy Schuening, Oregon State
Reserves & Projects
8. Robert Felton, Arkansas
9. Donald Thomas, Connecticut
10. Chris McDuffie, Clemson
Centers
The class is ... good as is, great if John Sullivan plays
better than he did last year. It's a serviceable class with several
starters.
Most overrated prospect: John Sullivan, Notre Dame - He's
athletic and he's high on most draft boards, but he couldn't block
anyone last year.
Most underrated prospect: Steve Justice, Wake Forest - While
not huge, but he'll be a fantastic quarterback for a zone-blocking
team.
NFL Starters
1.
Kory Lichtensteiger, Bowling Green
2. Mike Pollak, Arizona State
3. Steve Justice, Wake Forest
Reserves & Projects
4. Cody Wallace, Texas A&M
5. Matt Spanos, USC
6. John Sullivan, Notre Dame