Detroit (from Miami)
Kevin Smith, RB UCF
Would Smith be considered a first rounder if he was Kevin Smith,
Florida instead of Kevin Smith, UCF? While his competition will
be questioned, playing in Conference USA, he produced against
everyone including NC State (217 yards and two touchdowns),
Texas (149 yards and two touchdowns), and Mississippi State (119
yards, but on 35 carries). George O'Leary and the Knights
weren't afraid to overuse their star getting him a whopping 450
carries and 24 catches last season, and he cranked out 2,567
rushing yards and 29 touchdowns despite having all 11 defenders
and the waterboy focused on stopping him. He's a producer, but
he'll have a short shelf life if he's asked to be a No. 1 back.
CFN Projection: Late Second To Early Third
Round CFN
Position Rank: 7
2
65
St. Louis
John Greco, OG/OT Toledo
If he's not the greatest MAC offensive lineman of all-time, he's
in the team photo. A starter from day one to game 49, he's
ridiculously durable, freakishly strong, and will work his tail
off to get better. While he was an all-everything tackle for
Toledo, he just doesn't have the quickness of the athleticism to
be on the outside at the highest level. He could move to tackle
from time to time, but he has the size, toughness, and make-up
to shine as a guard if given the chance to grow into the job. CFN Projection: Third Round CFN
Position Rank: 4 (as a OG)
3
66
Miami (from Detroit)
Kendall Langford, DE/DT Hampton
An oversized end at 287 pounds, he could end up sitting inside
or playing in a 4-3 scheme. Really strong and really tough, he
does a little of everything and can be molded into whatever
defense he plays in. However, he needs a lot of work and a lot
of time. There almost no refined technique whatsoever and he'll
need a ton of coaching and a lot of time. With his tools, the
potential is there for big things if given the chance. CFN Projection: Fifth Round CFN
Position Rank: 16 (as a DE)
4
67
Carolina
Charles Godfrey, CB/FS Iowa
The measurables are there. He's close to six-feet and 207 pounds
with 4.48 speed, he could be a nice corner or a killer free
safety. A good tackler, he doesn't miss many stops and he has no
problem being physical. While he made five interceptions last
year, he doesn't attack the ball on a consistent basis and needs
a ton of work on his style and technique. He'll be a better pro
than a college player in a few years when he moves to safety
full time. CFN Projection: Third Round CFN
Position Rank: 14 (as a CB)
5
68
Atlanta
Chevis Jackson, CB LSU
Jackson got lumped in with past LSU defensive backs as many
assumed he'd be just as good as a LaRon Landry (who played a
different position) among others, and while he was fine as a
three-year starters at a high level, and had a whale of a senior
season, he's not quite an elite player. Too stringy at 6-0 and
192 pounds, and way too slow with 4.62 speed, he'll be limited
unless he bulks up and becomes a safety. Even so, he's a
football player and will be better than his measurables. CFN Projection: Fourth Round CFN
Position Rank: 17
6
69
San Diego (from New England)
Jacob Hester, FB LSU
A great runner, a good scorer, and a nice receiver, he's a
do-it-all fullback who'll be a nice piece to the puzzle. If
nothing else he'll be a fan favorite and a star on special
teams. CFN Projection: Fourth Round CFN
Position Rank: 1
7
70
Chicago
Earl Bennett, WR Vanderbilt
Bennett faced the best of the best defensive backs in the SEC
and still produced becoming the league's all-time leading
receiver in fewer than three years. While he was great with Jay
Cutler throwing to him, he put up even better numbers working
with far less talented passers. Not a blazer, he's more quick
than fast with great hands that snags everything that comes his
way; he made his Vanderbilt quarterbacks better, including
Cutler. He'll be erased at times by the speedier NFL corners,
but he'll flourish as a complementary target. CFN Projection: Mid-Second to Third Round CFN
Position Rank: 9
8
71
Baltimore
(from San Francisco)
Tavares Gooden, LB Miami
With excellent size to play inside or our, the athleticism to be
a disruptive force in the right system, and coming off a
productive year on a bad team, Gooden has the potential to be a
great pro. The problem is that he'll need time and coaching. He
made a lot of tackles being moved inside in his senior season,
but he has to be on the outside in the NFL. Is he tough enough
and can he handle an NFL playbook? There are just enough
question marks to keep him from being a sure-thing starter. CFN Projection: Late Second Round to Early
Third Round CFN
Position Rank: 17
9
72
Buffalo
Chris Ellis, DE Virginia Tech
Potentially a good No. 3 end who shines in a rotation, Ellis has
good strength against the run and nice speed. However, he has
major character issues and he'll need to be taken under the wing
of a mentor right away. He has the potential to grow into a
creative pass rusher who can fit into any system, but he'll have
to fight through what seems to be an ongoing shoulder issue and
he has to have the right attitude from day one. CFN Projection: Third Round CFN
Position Rank: 8
10
73
Kansas City
Jamaal Charles, RB Texas
So which Jamaal Charles will the pros be getting? Will he be the
breathtaking speedster who beat Oklahoma State and Nebraska by
himself last year, or will be the one who struggled as a
sophomore and didn't play up to expectations or his talent
level? Probably a little of both, but the upside is too great to
pass up. The big issue could be Texas. After the Ricky Williams
situation and Cedric Benson turning into a dog of a pro, is
there going to be an anti-Longhorn bias? Built like a smaller
Darren McFadden, Charles is a sprinter who can be used in a
variety of ways. While he showed he could handle a big workload
last season, he's not going to be a pounding back who can handle
a full-season NFL schedule if he's asked to pound away. He's not
a power back by any stretch, but if he's able to keep his
touches to around 15-to-20 per game, he'll be a difference
maker. CFN Projection: Second Round CFN
Position Rank: 5
11
74
Carolina
Dan Connor, OLB Penn State
A typical Penn State linebacker, Connor is a great tackler, is
all over the field, and gives all-out effort all the time. It
says something that he's the all-time leading tackler at
Linebacker U. finishing up his great career with 145 stops and
15 tackles for loss. He even grew into more of a pass rusher
making 6.5 sacks, but he's not going to get into the backfield
on a regular basis in the NFL. He's not Paul Posluszny and he
can't play on the outside, but he'll be a nice starter who'll
make a ton of tackles. CFN Projection: Second Round CFN
Position Rank: 2
12
75
San Francisco
Reggie Smith, CB/S Oklahoma
Smith's ability to play either corner or safety will allow a
defensive coordinator to play around with him in several
situations. A good hitter, he made plenty of stops over the last
three years and became more of a ball-hawker last season when he
settled into more of a corner role. Not a blazer, he can get
beaten deep and he gave up way too many home runs when he was at
safety. Basically, he's a good NFL prospect at several
positions, but not great at any one. CFN Projection: Second Round to Third Round CFN
Position Rank: 10 (as a CB)
13
76
Kansas City
(from Chicago)
Brad Cottam, TE Tennessee
At 6-7 and 270 pounds with not-that-bad speed, he has the size
and the skills to get offensive coordinators excited about
matchup possibilities. A bit of an afterthought after suffering
a broken wrist last season, he emerged as an "it" prospect after
a good Senior Bowl and excellent Combine. He's still a bit of a
project, but receivers his size are rare. CFN Projection: Third Round CFN
Position Rank: 7
14
77
Cincinnati
Pat Sims, DT Auburn
It'll take some work and a little bit of time, but there's
tremendous upside if he can get used to being beaten on and if
he actually decides he wants to be a star. With all the skills
and excellent 6-2, 310-pound size, he has the look of a starting
NFL defensive tackle, but he only started for one season at
Auburn and he needs to prove he can be a bit of a warrior. He
needs to get stronger both mentally and physically, and if
someone lights a fire under him, he could be special. CFN Projection: Late Second Round CFN
Position Rank: 4
15
78
New England
(from New Orleans)
Shawn Crable, DE/LB Michigan
An ultra-productive linebacker last year with 90 tackles and 7.5
sacks, he's a hybrid outside linebacker/defensive end as a pro.
Undersized for a lineman at around 6-5 and 245 pounds, he makes
up for it with tremendous athleticism and good strength for his
size. His money will be made in the weight-room. With room on
his frame for another 15 pounds of muscle, he could bulk up and
grow into a pass rushing end and could become a poor man's
Terrell Suggs. CFN Projection: Fourth Round CFN
Position Rank: 9 (as a DE)
16
79
Houston
Antwaun Molden, CB/FS Eastern Kentucky
Really fast with good size, he has the look of a starting
corner, and he proved in workouts to have the strength to match
up with any big receiver. While he has the athleticism and the
measurables that some of the top corner prospects would die for,
he's not a great football player. While someone will fall in
love with the size/speed ratio, he needs work before he's a
player. CFN Projection: Sixth Round CFN
Position Rank: 22 (as a CB)
17
80
Philadelphia
Bryan Smith, DE/LB McNeese State
Extremely athletic and a terrific pass rusher at the lower
level, Smith cranked out 24 sacks in the last two years and is
great at making every tackle. He's not really a linebacker, but
at only 6-2 and 231 pounds, he's not an end. Despite his lack of
size, he'll be a fun toy for a defensive coordinator to play
with. CFN Projection: Fifth Round CFN
Position Rank: 17 (as a DE)
18
81
Arizona
Early Doucet, WR LSU
Before his senior season he was considered to be in the running
for the honor of being the top receiver taken in the draft.
While he was fine, he didn't take the next step up needed to
show he could be a major NFL producer. While he's compact and
strong, and he's not afraid to block or do the dirty work, he's
not a deep threat and will disappear for long stretches at the
next level. He'll never be a prime target and he can't change
anyone's passing game by himself, but he could be a whale of an
inside possession receiver if used correctly. He's the type of
unselfish receiver you want to have as a No. 3, but he lacks the
superstar streak the truly great ones possess. CFN Projection: Mid-Second to Third Round CFN
Position Rank: 11
19
82
Kansas City
DaJuan
Morgan, FS NC State
Considering this is a weak year for safeties, Morgan made a
great move leaving early. In most years he would've been better
served coming back for his senior season having only started for
one year, but he has decent 6-0, 205-pound size, good-enough
4.54 speed, and the versatility to play corner or free safety.
He cares about being good and will make himself better. He'll
need a little more time, a lot of patience to work through his
mistakes, and some serious coaching on consistent technique, but
he'll grow into a nice starter. CFN Projection: Second Round CFN
Position Rank: 3
20
83
Tampa Bay
Jeremy Zuttah, C/OT Rutgers
Where's he going to play? A great pass-protecting tackle and a
tough guard, he actually projects to be a center at the next
level. He was great at the Combine and the East-West Shrine
game, but he's not a next-level tackle and not quite girthy
enough to play guard. If he can show early on that he can handle
himself well in the middle, and if he can prove a gimpy ankle
isn't a problem, he can be a regular. His versatility will make
him attractive. CFN Projection: Fourth Round CFN
Position Rank: 4 (as a C)
21
84
Atlanta (from
trade) Harry
Douglas, WR Louisville
It's all about his return ability. While he's very tough and he
proved he could be a No. 1 receiver at the collegiate level,
he's not big enough or fast enough to be more than a No. 3 on
anyone's offense. However, he could blossom as a kick and punt
returner. Even though he's tough as nails, he'll get beaten up
by NFL defensive backs CFN Projection: Sixth Round CFN
Position Rank: 26
22
85
Tennessee
Craig Stevens, TE California
One of the high-risers on everyone's board after running better
than expected in workouts, Stevens is one of the better blockers
among the top tight end prospects and is one of the safest bets.
However, he doesn't have a world of upside like a Martellus
Bennett or a Dustin Keller and he's not going to be a dominant
receiver. He'll be a good one, but his worth is as an all-around
player. CFN Projection: Third Round CFN
Position Rank: 6
23
86
Baltimore
(from trade) Tom
Zbikowski, SS Notre Dame
The ultimate tough guy, he was a four-year starter and a good
leader for an Irish defense that was miserable at times before
coming through with an underappreciated 2007. He's a good punt
returner who always makes something happen, and he's a huge
hitter against the run. The problem is his pass coverage
ability; he doesn't have any. He needs to be in a secondary with
some really good corners. CFN Projection: Fourth RoundCFN
Position Rank: 8
24
87
Detroit
Andre
Fluellen, DT Florida State
He's not going to be your star tackle, but he'll be great at the
third man in or next to a star. Extremely quick and with the
athleticism to grow into a top interior pass rusher, if he gets
the right coaching, he has a ton of upside. However, he'll get
shoved around with anyone with any strength. He's not huge and
he can't stay healthy, and he's not the playmaker he should be
for a player with his athleticism. CFN Projection: Third Round CFN
Position Rank: 8
25
88
Pittsburgh
Bruce Davis, OLB/DE UCLA
At 6-2 and 252 pounds, he's too small to be a defensive end and
too slow to be a top outside linebacker. He was a tremendous
pass rusher who was always in the backfield and was always
hitting the quarterback. While he doesn't have more to his game
than just being a pass rusher, at least not yet, he showed off
in off-season workouts and at the Combine that he has the
potential to become a good linebacker if given time to develop. CFN Projection: Sixth Round CFN
Position Rank: 27 (as a LB)
26
89
Houston (from
trade) Steve
Slaton, RB West Virginia
He should've stayed. A speed rusher who always produced gaudy
numbers, he gets it into gear instantly and can blast through
any hole. The problem is size and toughness in crunch time. He
went M.I.A. in some of West Virginia's biggest games and he
almost never had to power over anyone. He's a pure space runner
who can find the daylight and take off, but he'll have to prove
early on that he's the sophomore version and not the 2007 back
who was fine, but not as special. CFN Projection: Fourth Round CFN
Position Rank: 12
27
90
Chicago
Marcus Harrison, DT Arkansas
Character and durability are going to be the main concerns, and
he'll never get to the quarterback, but at 6-2 and 317 pounds
with shocking athleticism and the strength to handle two
blockers without a problem, he's a major prospect. The key is
his health. As his knee gets better and better, so should his
production. On skills he's a first rounder, but on intangibles
he's a question mark. CFN Projection: Late Second Round to Early
Third Round CFN
Position Rank: 9
28
91
Green Bay
Jermichael Finley, TE Texas
One of the biggest workout disappointments in the entire 2008
class, not just among the tight ends, everyone was waiting to
see the sophomore who had been described at times as an athletic
freak at Texas. He ran a pedestrian 4.62 after starting out the
Combine with some miserable times, and while he certainly isn't
slow, the 6-4, 240-pounder is considered a receiver and not a
tight end. He has good hands and receiving skills and he could
be a dangerous playmaker as his career goes on, but he needs
polish and will be shoved around a bit. CFN Projection: Third Round CFN
Position Rank: 9
29
92
Detroit (from
Dallas)
Cliff Avril, OLB/DE Purdue
What do you want to do with him? A huge linebacker at close to
6-3, 253 pounds, he can be used on the end and can be an ideal
outside player in the 3-4. Big enough to be moved inside if
needed, his versatility will keep him on a team for a long time.
Strong, not just big, he can handle himself well against the
more physical teams. However, he needs to be tougher against the
run. He's not quite a good enough athlete to dominate on the
outside; he'll be a jack-of-all-trades, master of none. CFN Projection: Late Fourth Round To Early
Fifth CFN
Position Rank: 9 (as a LB)
30
93
Indianapolis
Philip Wheeler, OLB Georgia Tech
A big outside playmaker who was a good all-around player for the
Yellow Jackets for the last three years, Wheeler has the look of
a defender who can do a little of everything. However, he's not
a power linebacker and can get shoved around, and he's not all
that fast and not that great in pass coverage. He started out
his career as a defensive back and he has that kind of
all-around athleticism, but he could use some more work on his
game to find the right niche in a defense. CFN Projection: Third Round CFN
Position Rank:
14
31
94
New England
Kevin O'Connell, QB San Diego State
Here's your deep sleeper with serious upside. Certain to be
there for the taking on the second day he could be the best
bargain in the draft. He has the best combination of size,
mobility and skills of all the prospects and if he's allowed a
little time to develop, and he's allowed to work through his
mistakes, and if he gets a good coach who can shorten up his
delivery to create a tight throwing motion he has the pieces to
be a starter. The problem will be patience. If he's thrown to
the wolves right away, forget about it. It might be a stretch,
but with the right situation he could be a bigger, more mobile
Tony Romo. CFN Projection: Fifth Round CFN Position
Rank: 7
32
95
NY Giants
Mario Manningham, WR Michigan
While he hasn't timed like an elite blazer, he's been more than
fast enough, hovering just under the 4.5 range, to be called a
speed receiver. He's certainly not a physical one. Extremely
thin, he can be bounced around a big and he isn't going to push
anyone around. While he needs more work than many might believe
as a route runner and in some basic techniques, he's ready to
contribute right away if he's not forced to be a No. 1 target.
He's a big play, big game receiver who never shied away from the
big moment, and while he's a bit of a diva, the great NFL
receivers usually are. CFN Projection: Late First to Early Second
Round CFN Position Rank: 5
33
96
Washington
Chad Rinehart, OT/OG Northern Iowa
While he'll try to be an NFL tackle, he's a guard. A strong 320
pounds who can crush and kill for a running game, he's just not
a good enough athlete to be a regular on the outside. He's
definitely not a left tackle, could be a right tackle with some
work, and will likely find a spot as a versatile backup who'll
work where needed. CFN Projection: Sixth Round to Seventh Round
CFN Position Rank: 22 (as an OT)
34
97
Cincinnati
Andre Caldwell, WR Florida
One of the toughest calls among the receivers, Bubba has good
size, phenomenal speed, and was a dynamic playmaker at times
throughout his record-setting Florida career. How much are
scouts scared off by the broken leg suffered a few years ago? He
might not have the elite skills to blossom into a star of any
sort, but he's tough, isn't going to worry about taking a hit,
and he can flat-out move either on deep balls or on short routes
to rack up big yards after the catch. CFN Projection: Second Round CFN
Position Rank: 6
35
98
Atlanta
Thomas DeCoud, FS California
More like a corner playing safety, the 6-1, 207-pound DeCoud is
a good athlete who hits even bigger than his size. He doesn't
make too many mistakes and is ultra-aggressive. While he's still
learning the position after moving over from corner, he didn't
do quite enough against the pass and he only had roughly a year
to figure out what he's doing. Even so, his hitting ability
along should make him a nice starter in time. CFN Projection: Late Second Round to Early
Third CFN Position Rank: 10
36
99
Baltimore
Oniel Cousins, OT/OG UTEP
If he can play as big as he looks, and if he can get a few years
to develop, the upside is there. But he's a risk; a massive one.
Originally a defensive lineman, he was good when he didn't have
to use his feet and could simply hit someone, but he struggled
in a big way when given a shot on the left side. The athleticism
is there and the size could make him a guard if need be, but
he's a prospect and is far from a finished product. CFN Projection: Third Round CFN
Position Rank: 8 (as an OT)
