2008 NFL Draft -
The Positions
The top defensive players, the class analysis, and rankings
After The Combines
By
Pete Fiutak
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2008 NFL Draft
Prospects & Class Looks - Offense
Defensive
Ends
The class is ... potentially terrific. If Chris Ellis really
is the tenth best end to come out of this class, the position will
be the draft's strength. Two huge, make-or-break calls are out there
in Calais Campbell and Tommy Blake, but there are enough sure-things
in Phillip Merling and Derrick Harvey to balance things out. Chris
Long is a prospect to build an entire defense around.
Most overrated prospect: Lawrence Jackson, USC - While he
has the size and the skills, he was too inconsistent despite playing
on a loaded line.
Most underrated prospect: Ken Iwebema, Iowa - When he was
on, there were few better in the Big Ten over the last few years.
However, he was a bit of a disappointment after getting hurt as a
junior, but if it all comes together and he regains his form, he
could be one of the steals of the second day as a devastating
situational pass rusher.
NFL Starters
1.
Chris Long, Virginia
2. Vernon Gholston, Ohio State
3. Quentin Groves, Auburn
4. Derrick Harvey, Florida
5. Phillip Merling, Clemson
6. Calais Campbell, Miami
7. Lawrence Jackson, USC
8. Marcus Howard, Georgia
9. Chris Ellis, Virginia Tech
Reserves & Projects
11. Darrell Robertson, Georgia Tech
12. Shawn Crable, Michigan (could be LB)
13. Jason Jones, Eastern Michigan
14. Ken Iwebema, Iowa
15. Titus Brown, Mississippi State
16. Bruce Davis, UCLA
Defensive
Tackles
The class is ... top heavy. Glenn Dorsey and Sedrick Ellis
might be the two best players in the draft, and Kentwan Balmer would
be the No. 1 tackle taken in most years. However, the former Tar
Heel has to show he can stay in one piece. There's at least one gem
to be found among Dre Moore, Red Bryant, Marcus Harrison and DeMario
Pressley. If and when the light goes on for them, they'll show off
first round ability.
Most overrated prospect: Kentwan Balmer, North Carolina -
While he's very strong and he looks the part, forget about counting
on him for a full 16 game season. He'll be taken high enough for
someone to expect him to be an anchor to build around, rather than a
piece-of-the-puzzle No. 2 DT. He'd be perfect for Chicago next to
Tommie Harris.
Most underrated prospect: Marcus Harrison, Arkansas - The
big question is his knee. He wasn't the same player after tearing
his ACL, but he'll be more than a year removed from the injury once
he hits the pros. Character is another concern after getting nailed
on drug charges. However, talent-wise, he has the potential to be a
difference maker.
NFL Starters
1.
Glenn Dorsey, LSU
2. Sedrick Ellis, USC
3. Kentwan Balmer, North Carolina
4. Trevor Laws, Notre Dame
5. Pat Sims, Auburn
6. Letroy Guion, Florida State
7. Andre Fluellen, Florida State
8. Frank Okam, Texas
9. DeMario Pressley, NC State
10. Dre Moore, Maryland
11. Ahtyba Rubin, Iowa State
12. Marcus Harrison, Arkansas
Reserves & Projects
13. Red Bryant, Texas A&M
14. Nick Hayden, Wisconsin
15. Bryan Mattison, Iowa
Outside
Linebackers
The class is ... lousy up top, strong in the mid-rounds.
Outside of Keith Rivers, maybe, there isn't anyone worthy of going
in the first round, however, there's a ton of excellent mid-second
the early fourth round talent. Dan Connor could play inside or out,
so his versatility, and Penn State hype, could make him a late first
rounder, and Ali Highsmith can certainly play. The group is even
stronger if UNLV's Beau Bell and Georgia Tech's Philip Wheeler end
up playing outside instead of in the middle.
Most overrated prospect: Ali Highsmith, LSU - He could be
the boom or bust defensive player of the first 50 picks. He has
safety athleticism and tremendous speed, but he's not big and he
could get beaten up against the run. In the right scheme he could be
a major producer, but he'll get lost in the shuffle in a
conventional role.
Most underrated prospect: Ezra Butler, Nevada - A former
defensive tackle, he got lighter, quicker and more athletic. If
someone can light a fire under him, he could be a ten-year starter.
If he doesn't work, he'll be a special teamer.
NFL Starters
1.
Keith Rivers, USC
2. Dan Connor, Penn State
3. Ali Highsmith, LSU
4. Erin Henderson, Maryland
5. Geno Hayes, Florida State
6. Larry Grant, Ohio State
7. Jordon Dizon, Colorado
8. Ezra Butler, Nevada
9. Shawn Crable, Michigan
10. Xavier Adibi, Virginia Tech
Reserves & Projects
11. Thomas Williams, USC
12. Stanford Keglar, Purdue
13. Nick Watkins, Clemson
14. Bryan Kehl, BYU
15. Durrell Mapp, North Carolina
Inside
Linebackers
The class is ... mediocre to horrible. It only gets worse if
Beau Bell and Philip Wheeler end up playing on the outside. Curtis
Lofton is good, but hardly special at an NFL level. There are plenty
of big hitters with more overachievers than sure-thing talents.
Most overrated prospect: J Leman, Illinois - A tackling
machine who comes in right out of central casting for what a middle
linebacker should look like, he's just not a good enough athlete to
be anything more than average.
Most underrated prospect: Jerod Mayo, Tennessee - To borrow
a basketball term, he's a baller. Yet another potential outside
linebacker who is being projected for the inside out of need, he'll
be drafted at least ten spots too low because of durability
concerns.
NFL Starters
1.
Curtis Lofton, Oklahoma
2. Jerod Mayo, Tennessee
3. Beau Bell, UNLV
4. Philip Wheeler, Georgia Tech
5. Spencer Larsen, Arizona
Reserves & Projects
6. Tavares Gooden, Miami
7. Vince Hall, Virginia Tech
8. J Leman, Illinois
9. JoLonn Dunbar, Boston College
10. Ben Moffitt, South Florida
11. Jameel McClain, Syracuse
12. Jonathan Goff, Vanderbilt
Cornerbacks
The class is ... fantastic. This might be the second deepest
position in the draft behind receiver. Take your pick between Mike
Jenkins, Aqib Talib,and Leodis McKelvin for the top corner spot,
while Brandon Flowers, Tracy Porter, Antoine Cason, and sleeper
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie are just a few of the prospects would
could become a No. 1 coverman.
Most overrated prospect: Leodis McKelvin, Troy - Everyone
has fallen in love with his quickness and kick return ability, but
he should be drafted around 30 to 40 instead of 10 to 20. His size,
or lack of it, will eventually be an issue.
Most underrated prospect: Antoine Cason, Arizona - While he
doesn't have the top-end speed and isn't going to be a lock-down
coverman who can erase a star target, he'll be a strong long-time
pro who could eventually move to safety if needed.
NFL Starters
1.
Aqib Talib, Kansas
2. Brandon Flowers, Virginia Tech
3. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Tennessee State
4.
Mike Jenkins, South Florida
5. Leodis McKelvin, Troy
6. Tracy Porter, Indiana
7. Antoine Cason, Arizona
8. Patrick Lee, Auburn
9. Terrence Wheatley, Colorado
Reserves & Projects
10. Jack Ikegwuonu, Wisconsin
11. Jonathan Hefney, Tennessee
12. DeJuan Tribble, Boston College
13. Reggie Smith, Oklahoma
14. Trae Williams, South Florida
15. Jack Williams, Kent State
16. Justin King, Penn State
Safeties
The class is ... horrendous. Possibly the worst in a decade.
Kenny Phillips deserves to be considered for the top 15, but he's
just not big enough, or enough of a playmaker, to get the crowd
moving. Everyone else is a bit of a project and there's no depth.
Most overrated prospect: Thomas DeCoud, California - Some
will be wowed by his big hitting ability, but he's just not
consistent enough and doesn't seem naturally instinctive to the
ball. He's a former corner who could eventually grow into a nice
player in a cover-2 scheme.
Most underrated prospect: D.J. Wolfe, Oklahoma - He's still
learning how to be a safety and could become tremendous once he
figures it out. He's a former corner who's just starting to scratch
the surface of what he can become.
NFL Starters
1.
Kenny Phillips, Miami
2. Tyrell Johnson, Arkansas State
3. DaJuan Morgan, NC State
Reserves & Projects
4. Tom Zbikowski, Notre Dame
5. Josh Barrett, Arizona State
6. D.J. Wolfe, Oklahoma
7. Thomas DeCoud, California
8. Jamie Silva, Boston College
9. Marcus Griffin, Texas
10. Craig Steltz, LSU
11. Quintin Demps, UTEP
12. Michael Grant, Arkansas
13. Nehemiah Warrick, Michigan State
14. Dennis Keyes, UCLA
15. Dominique Barber, Minnesota
Punters
1. Durant Brooks, Georgia Tech
2. Mike Dragosavich, North Dakota State
3. Tim Reyer, Kansas State
Kickers
1. Art Carmody, Louisville
2. Brandon Coutu, Georgia
3. Taylor Mehlhaff, Wisconsin
4. Alexis Serna, Oregon State
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