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This doesnt bode well for Theo 
Rick Gosselin's NFL draft Top 100
05:10 PM CDT on Thursday, April 24, 2008
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Offensive tackle Jake Long collected his honors in pairs at Michigan. He was a two-time captain, a two-time All-Big Ten, a two-time Big Ten offensive lineman of the year and a two-time All-American.
So enamored with Long were the Miami Dolphins that they have already reached agreement with him on a contract to become the first overall selection of the 2008 NFL draft – the first offensive lineman so honored since 1997.
But being the first overall pick doesn't make Long the best player in this draft. He's certainly not the most decorated player in this draft, nor is he even the best lineman.
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Glenn Dorsey was held in higher esteem by the college community than Long. He won the Lombardi, Lott, Nagurski and Outland trophies for his play as a defensive tackle for national champion LSU. Dorsey is also held in higher esteem by the NFL community.
In the week leading up to the draft, The Dallas Morning News polled 27 of the NFL's 32 teams for the No. 1 player on their draft boards. Dorsey was the selection on 12 of the draft boards, followed by Arkansas running back Darren McFadden on six, Virginia defensive end Chris Long on five, then Long and Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan atop two boards apiece.
So pencil in Dorsey at No. 1 on SportsDay's annual Top 100 draft board. The Top 100 is compiled based on conversations with NFL general managers, personnel directors, pro and college coaches and scouts. This is not a mock draft. Teams will skip around the board on draft day to make selections that fit their needs.
1-10
Rank, player Pos. School
1. Glenn Dorsey DT LSU
2. Darren McFadden HB Arkansas
3. Chris Long DE Virginia
4. Jake Long OT Michigan
5. Sedrick Ellis DT Southern California
6. Matt Ryan QB Boston College
7. Keith Rivers LB Southern California
8. Vernon Gholston DE Ohio State
9. Ryan Clady OT Boise State
10. Rashard Mendenhall HB Illinois
3. Chris Long, DE, Virginia
Long had his jersey number retired in both high school and college. Don't bet against his jersey number being retired in the NFL, either. The son of an NFL Hall of Famer, Long is viewed as one of the two safest picks in this draft along with Michigan tackle Jake Long. There is no risk factor – he's a can't-miss prospect because of his work ethic and game-day motor. Those intangibles have made him a dominant player every step of the way in his career. He posted 15 sacks as a senior in high school and 43 in his career. At Virginia, he became a three-year starter, two-time captain, the only unanimous All-ACC selection in 2007 and the Hendricks Award winner as college football's best defensive lineman. He's relentless, and his energy makes raises the level of play of those around him better.
11-20
Rank, player Pos. School
11. Leodis McKelvin CB Troy
12. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie CB Tennessee State
13. Derrick Harvey DE Florida
14. Devin Thomas WR Michigan State
15. Mike Jenkins CB South Florida
16. Jeff Otah OT Pittsburgh
17. Jonathan Stewart HB Oregon
18. Branden Albert OL Virginia
19. Jerod Mayo LB Tennessee
20. Chris Williams OT Vanderbilt
12. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State
The three top cornerbacks in this draft all should go in the top 20 of the first round and all offer different looks. Mike Jenkins of South Florida is the safe pick. He's the most polished of the three corners. A three-year starter in the Big East, he's an instant starter in the NFL. Leodis McKelvin of Troy is the most physical of the three and the best kick returner in the draft. But he has the worst hands of the three, with only four career interceptions. Rodgers-Cromartie is the farthest away from an NFL field, because he didn't see the quality quarterbacks and wideouts at Tennessee State that Jenkins and McKelvin saw. But two years from now he may be the best of the bunch. He's the fastest, most athletic corner on this board and an elite playmaker, with 11 interceptions and five TDs.
21-30
Rank, player Pos. School
21. Felix Jones HB Arkansas
22. Aqib Talib CB Kansas
23. James Hardy WR Indiana
24. Kentwan Balmer DT North Carolina
25. Chad Henne QB Michigan
26. Gosder Cherilus OT Boston College
27. DeSean Jackson WR California
28. Phillip Merling DE Clemson
29. Brian Brohm QB Louisville
30. Quentin Groves DE Auburn
29. Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville
There were five quarterbacks with starting potential in the 2007 draft and all cleared the board by the 43rd pick. There are four such quarterbacks in this draft and all should be gone by 40. Matt Ryan of Boston College sits in the top 10 followed by Brohm, Chad Henne of Michigan and Joe Flacco of Delaware. Brohm, Henne and Flacco are all rated as the No. 2 quarterback on various team boards. Don't be surprised if there isn't at least one trade up into the back end of the first round to secure a quarterback. Henne was a four-year starter, Brohm a three-year starter and Ryan two years. All could hit the field as rookies. Flacco may be a year away because of the jump in caliber of competition from Delaware but has the best arm of all of them.
31-40
Rank, player Pos. School
31. Dustin Keller TE Purdue
32. Curtis Lofton LB Oklahoma
33. Kenny Phillips S Miami
34. Malcolm Kelly WR Oklahoma
35. Tyrell Johnson S Arkansas State
36. Jamaal Charles HB Texas
37. Joe Flacco QB Delaware
38. Brandon Flowers CB Virginia Tech
39. Limas Sweed WR Texas
40. Fred Davis TE Southern California
31. Dustin Keller, TE, Purdue
In 2003, only one NFL tight end led his team in receiving. Last season, there were five. In a game of cycles, the NFL is moving back into an era that covets tight ends as pass catchers – and Keller is the best receiving tight end on this board. The West Coast offenses all love him. He's the fastest tight end in the draft with 4.55 speed and the most dynamic with five career 100-yard receiving games, including three in 2007. He caught 142 career passes for the Boilermakers. He stretches defenses with his speed and threatens them with his playmaking ability.
41-50
Rank, player Pos. School
41. Chris Johnson HB East Carolina
42. Lawrence Jackson DE Southern California
43. Donnie Avery WR Houston
44. Kevin Smith HB Central Florida
45. Antoine Cason CB Arizona
46. Martellus Bennett TE Texas A&M
47. Dan Connor LB Penn State
48. Jordy Nelson WR Kansas State
49. Anthony Collins OT Kansas
50. Tracy Porter CB Indiana
49. Anthony Collins, OT, Kansas
The Pittsburgh Steelers slapped a transition tag on offensive tackle Max Starks this off-season. He lost his starting job in training camp and spent last season as a backup. But the Steelers tagged him, ensuring him a one-year contract for $6.8 million. The lesson? You must draft and retain your offensive linemen at whatever the cost. If you don't, they are too expensive to buy in free agency. That drives up the stock of a Collins, who decided to skip his senior season at Kansas to cash in on the current financial gravy train for blockers. There could be as many as 10 offensive tackles in the first 60 picks of this draft. Collins has superb measurables (6-5, 317) and two years of experience as a left tackle in the Big 12.
51-60
Rank, player Pos. School
51. Sam Baker OL Southern California
52. Justin King CB Penn State
53. Marcus Harrison DT Arkansas
54. Chilo Rachal G Southern California
55. DaJuan Morgan S North Carolina State
56. Duane Brown OL Virginia Tech
57. John Carlson TE Notre Dame
58. Eddie Royal WR Virginia Tech
59. Calais Campbell DE Miami
60. Oneil Cousins OL UTEP
58. Eddie Royal, KR, Virginia Tech
Devin Hester has driven up the draft stock of the elite kick returners. Royal returned 59 career kickoffs for an average of 23.3 yards and 111 career punts and average of 11.6 yards with three TDs: 82 yards against Clemson and 60 against William and Mary, both in 2007, plus a 58-yarder against Duke in 2006. A four-year starter at wide receiver, Royal caught 119 career passes, including an 80-yarder against Georgia Tech in 2004. He also posted a 53-yard run, a 55-yard kickoff return and threw a 53-yard TD pass. He's a big play waiting to happen, especially on kicks.
61-70
Rank, player Pos. School
61. Bryan Kehl OLB BYU
62. Brad Cottam TE Tennessee
63. Mike Pollak C Arizona State
64. Andre Caldwell WR Florida
65. Patrick Lee CB Auburn
66. Jeremy Thompson DE Wake Forest
67. Jason Jones DL Eastern Michigan
68. Charles Godfrey CB Iowa
69. Matt Forté HB Tulane
70. Earl Bennett WR Vanderbilt
69. Matt Forté, HB, Tulane
You can find quality runners in any round of any draft. In the 2000 decade alone, Maurice Jones-Drew was a second-rounder (2006), Brian Westbrook a third (2002), Marion Barber a fourth (2005), Michael Turner a fifth (2004), Chester Taylor a sixth (2002) and Ahmad Bradshaw a seventh (2007). Forté lacks the fame of Darren McFadden and the speed of Felix Jones, but he's one of the most versatile backs in this draft with 4,265 career rushing yards and 103 catches. He became the 11th 2,000-yard rusher in NCAA history last season and has 4.48 speed.
71-80
Rank, player Pos. School
71. Trevor Laws DT Notre Dame
72. Chris Ellis DE Virginia Tech
73. Tavares Gooden MLB Miami
74. Ray Rice HB Rutgers
75. Jordon Dizon OLB Colorado
76. Chevis Jackson CB LSU
77. Early Doucet WR LSU
78. Reggie Smith S Oklahoma
79. Cliff Avril DE Purdue
80. Terrell Thomas CB Southern California
75. Jordon Dizon, OLB, Colorado
Dizon is too small (5-11½, 229 pounds) and too slow (4.73 speed in the 40) to be the great linebacker in the NFL that he was in college. But Dexter Coakley, Mike Singletary and Zach Thomas shared the same deficiencies and all went on to have Pro Bowl careers. Dizon was a run-stuffing machine in college with 442 career tackles. He was a four-year starter, team captain, All-Big 12 selection and the NCAA's No. 2 tackler in 2007. He's scheduled to graduate in May with honors and a degree in economics. Other than his size, what's not to like? He's another can't-miss prospect.
81-90
Rank, player Pos. School
81. Craig Stevens TE California
82. Jerome Simpson WR Coastal Carolina
83. Orlando Scandrick CB Boise State
84. Pat Sims DT Auburn
85. John David Booty QB Southern California
86. Andre Fluellen DT Florida State
87. John Greco OL Toledo
88. Antwaun Molden CB Eastern Kentucky
89. Jeremy Zuttah OL Rutgers
90. Joseph Bryant DT Texas A&M
82. Jerome Simpson, WR, Coastal Carolina
The draft isn't about college productivity. It's about measurables. Jerome Simpson of Coastal Carolina caught only 41 passes last season for 697 yards and 11 touchdowns – yet he's rated higher on this draft board than All-Big Ten wide receivers Mario Manningham and Dorien Bryant because of one freaky measurable. He has 11-inch hands, the biggest on this draft board. James Hardy is next with 10¼-inch hands. Big hands translate into reliable hands in the NFL scouting community. Simpson also has size (6-1½, 199 pounds), speed (4.42 seconds in the 40) and productivity, leaving Coastal as the school's all-time leading receiver. When NFL talent evaluators view Simpson, they see measurables that could give him a chance for greatness.
91-100
Rank, player Pos. School
91. Tyvon Branch S Connecticut
92. Keenan Burton WR Kentucky
93. Jacob Hester FB LSU
94. Tashard Choice HB Georgia Tech
95. Dre Moore DT Maryland
96. Terrence Wheatley CB Colorado
97. Chaun Washington HB Southern California
98. Kendall Langford DE Hampton
99. Andre Woodson QB Kentucky
100. Xavier Adibi OLB Virginia Tech
91. Tyvon Branch, S, Connecticut
Branch lined up at cornerback last season. But he's a physical presence (230 career tackles) with speed (4.31 seconds in the 40-yard dash) at the back end, so some NFL teams project him at safety. There's a premium on coverage safeties in the NFL, and Branch would have the speed and skills to match up with the slot receivers. He's a former prep and college sprint champion and also uses his speed on kickoff returns, averaging 28.9 yards in 2007 with two touchdowns. So even if he doesn't start at safety, he can have a rookie impact on special teams
Rick Gosselin's NFL draft Top 100
05:10 PM CDT on Thursday, April 24, 2008
Offensive tackle Jake Long collected his honors in pairs at Michigan. He was a two-time captain, a two-time All-Big Ten, a two-time Big Ten offensive lineman of the year and a two-time All-American.
So enamored with Long were the Miami Dolphins that they have already reached agreement with him on a contract to become the first overall selection of the 2008 NFL draft – the first offensive lineman so honored since 1997.
But being the first overall pick doesn't make Long the best player in this draft. He's certainly not the most decorated player in this draft, nor is he even the best lineman.
NFL draft
Cowboys Blog
Mock draft: 4/11 | 4/18
The Top 100
Rankings by position
Position series
Video: Draft preview
More: Draft | NFL
Glenn Dorsey was held in higher esteem by the college community than Long. He won the Lombardi, Lott, Nagurski and Outland trophies for his play as a defensive tackle for national champion LSU. Dorsey is also held in higher esteem by the NFL community.
In the week leading up to the draft, The Dallas Morning News polled 27 of the NFL's 32 teams for the No. 1 player on their draft boards. Dorsey was the selection on 12 of the draft boards, followed by Arkansas running back Darren McFadden on six, Virginia defensive end Chris Long on five, then Long and Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan atop two boards apiece.
So pencil in Dorsey at No. 1 on SportsDay's annual Top 100 draft board. The Top 100 is compiled based on conversations with NFL general managers, personnel directors, pro and college coaches and scouts. This is not a mock draft. Teams will skip around the board on draft day to make selections that fit their needs.
1-10
Rank, player Pos. School
1. Glenn Dorsey DT LSU
2. Darren McFadden HB Arkansas
3. Chris Long DE Virginia
4. Jake Long OT Michigan
5. Sedrick Ellis DT Southern California
6. Matt Ryan QB Boston College
7. Keith Rivers LB Southern California
8. Vernon Gholston DE Ohio State
9. Ryan Clady OT Boise State
10. Rashard Mendenhall HB Illinois
3. Chris Long, DE, Virginia
Long had his jersey number retired in both high school and college. Don't bet against his jersey number being retired in the NFL, either. The son of an NFL Hall of Famer, Long is viewed as one of the two safest picks in this draft along with Michigan tackle Jake Long. There is no risk factor – he's a can't-miss prospect because of his work ethic and game-day motor. Those intangibles have made him a dominant player every step of the way in his career. He posted 15 sacks as a senior in high school and 43 in his career. At Virginia, he became a three-year starter, two-time captain, the only unanimous All-ACC selection in 2007 and the Hendricks Award winner as college football's best defensive lineman. He's relentless, and his energy makes raises the level of play of those around him better.
11-20
Rank, player Pos. School
11. Leodis McKelvin CB Troy
12. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie CB Tennessee State
13. Derrick Harvey DE Florida
14. Devin Thomas WR Michigan State
15. Mike Jenkins CB South Florida
16. Jeff Otah OT Pittsburgh
17. Jonathan Stewart HB Oregon
18. Branden Albert OL Virginia
19. Jerod Mayo LB Tennessee
20. Chris Williams OT Vanderbilt
12. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State
The three top cornerbacks in this draft all should go in the top 20 of the first round and all offer different looks. Mike Jenkins of South Florida is the safe pick. He's the most polished of the three corners. A three-year starter in the Big East, he's an instant starter in the NFL. Leodis McKelvin of Troy is the most physical of the three and the best kick returner in the draft. But he has the worst hands of the three, with only four career interceptions. Rodgers-Cromartie is the farthest away from an NFL field, because he didn't see the quality quarterbacks and wideouts at Tennessee State that Jenkins and McKelvin saw. But two years from now he may be the best of the bunch. He's the fastest, most athletic corner on this board and an elite playmaker, with 11 interceptions and five TDs.
21-30
Rank, player Pos. School
21. Felix Jones HB Arkansas
22. Aqib Talib CB Kansas
23. James Hardy WR Indiana
24. Kentwan Balmer DT North Carolina
25. Chad Henne QB Michigan
26. Gosder Cherilus OT Boston College
27. DeSean Jackson WR California
28. Phillip Merling DE Clemson
29. Brian Brohm QB Louisville
30. Quentin Groves DE Auburn
29. Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville
There were five quarterbacks with starting potential in the 2007 draft and all cleared the board by the 43rd pick. There are four such quarterbacks in this draft and all should be gone by 40. Matt Ryan of Boston College sits in the top 10 followed by Brohm, Chad Henne of Michigan and Joe Flacco of Delaware. Brohm, Henne and Flacco are all rated as the No. 2 quarterback on various team boards. Don't be surprised if there isn't at least one trade up into the back end of the first round to secure a quarterback. Henne was a four-year starter, Brohm a three-year starter and Ryan two years. All could hit the field as rookies. Flacco may be a year away because of the jump in caliber of competition from Delaware but has the best arm of all of them.
31-40
Rank, player Pos. School
31. Dustin Keller TE Purdue
32. Curtis Lofton LB Oklahoma
33. Kenny Phillips S Miami
34. Malcolm Kelly WR Oklahoma
35. Tyrell Johnson S Arkansas State
36. Jamaal Charles HB Texas
37. Joe Flacco QB Delaware
38. Brandon Flowers CB Virginia Tech
39. Limas Sweed WR Texas
40. Fred Davis TE Southern California
31. Dustin Keller, TE, Purdue
In 2003, only one NFL tight end led his team in receiving. Last season, there were five. In a game of cycles, the NFL is moving back into an era that covets tight ends as pass catchers – and Keller is the best receiving tight end on this board. The West Coast offenses all love him. He's the fastest tight end in the draft with 4.55 speed and the most dynamic with five career 100-yard receiving games, including three in 2007. He caught 142 career passes for the Boilermakers. He stretches defenses with his speed and threatens them with his playmaking ability.
41-50
Rank, player Pos. School
41. Chris Johnson HB East Carolina
42. Lawrence Jackson DE Southern California
43. Donnie Avery WR Houston
44. Kevin Smith HB Central Florida
45. Antoine Cason CB Arizona
46. Martellus Bennett TE Texas A&M
47. Dan Connor LB Penn State
48. Jordy Nelson WR Kansas State
49. Anthony Collins OT Kansas
50. Tracy Porter CB Indiana
49. Anthony Collins, OT, Kansas
The Pittsburgh Steelers slapped a transition tag on offensive tackle Max Starks this off-season. He lost his starting job in training camp and spent last season as a backup. But the Steelers tagged him, ensuring him a one-year contract for $6.8 million. The lesson? You must draft and retain your offensive linemen at whatever the cost. If you don't, they are too expensive to buy in free agency. That drives up the stock of a Collins, who decided to skip his senior season at Kansas to cash in on the current financial gravy train for blockers. There could be as many as 10 offensive tackles in the first 60 picks of this draft. Collins has superb measurables (6-5, 317) and two years of experience as a left tackle in the Big 12.
51-60
Rank, player Pos. School
51. Sam Baker OL Southern California
52. Justin King CB Penn State
53. Marcus Harrison DT Arkansas
54. Chilo Rachal G Southern California
55. DaJuan Morgan S North Carolina State
56. Duane Brown OL Virginia Tech
57. John Carlson TE Notre Dame
58. Eddie Royal WR Virginia Tech
59. Calais Campbell DE Miami
60. Oneil Cousins OL UTEP
58. Eddie Royal, KR, Virginia Tech
Devin Hester has driven up the draft stock of the elite kick returners. Royal returned 59 career kickoffs for an average of 23.3 yards and 111 career punts and average of 11.6 yards with three TDs: 82 yards against Clemson and 60 against William and Mary, both in 2007, plus a 58-yarder against Duke in 2006. A four-year starter at wide receiver, Royal caught 119 career passes, including an 80-yarder against Georgia Tech in 2004. He also posted a 53-yard run, a 55-yard kickoff return and threw a 53-yard TD pass. He's a big play waiting to happen, especially on kicks.
61-70
Rank, player Pos. School
61. Bryan Kehl OLB BYU
62. Brad Cottam TE Tennessee
63. Mike Pollak C Arizona State
64. Andre Caldwell WR Florida
65. Patrick Lee CB Auburn
66. Jeremy Thompson DE Wake Forest
67. Jason Jones DL Eastern Michigan
68. Charles Godfrey CB Iowa
69. Matt Forté HB Tulane
70. Earl Bennett WR Vanderbilt
69. Matt Forté, HB, Tulane
You can find quality runners in any round of any draft. In the 2000 decade alone, Maurice Jones-Drew was a second-rounder (2006), Brian Westbrook a third (2002), Marion Barber a fourth (2005), Michael Turner a fifth (2004), Chester Taylor a sixth (2002) and Ahmad Bradshaw a seventh (2007). Forté lacks the fame of Darren McFadden and the speed of Felix Jones, but he's one of the most versatile backs in this draft with 4,265 career rushing yards and 103 catches. He became the 11th 2,000-yard rusher in NCAA history last season and has 4.48 speed.
71-80
Rank, player Pos. School
71. Trevor Laws DT Notre Dame
72. Chris Ellis DE Virginia Tech
73. Tavares Gooden MLB Miami
74. Ray Rice HB Rutgers
75. Jordon Dizon OLB Colorado
76. Chevis Jackson CB LSU
77. Early Doucet WR LSU
78. Reggie Smith S Oklahoma
79. Cliff Avril DE Purdue
80. Terrell Thomas CB Southern California
75. Jordon Dizon, OLB, Colorado
Dizon is too small (5-11½, 229 pounds) and too slow (4.73 speed in the 40) to be the great linebacker in the NFL that he was in college. But Dexter Coakley, Mike Singletary and Zach Thomas shared the same deficiencies and all went on to have Pro Bowl careers. Dizon was a run-stuffing machine in college with 442 career tackles. He was a four-year starter, team captain, All-Big 12 selection and the NCAA's No. 2 tackler in 2007. He's scheduled to graduate in May with honors and a degree in economics. Other than his size, what's not to like? He's another can't-miss prospect.
81-90
Rank, player Pos. School
81. Craig Stevens TE California
82. Jerome Simpson WR Coastal Carolina
83. Orlando Scandrick CB Boise State
84. Pat Sims DT Auburn
85. John David Booty QB Southern California
86. Andre Fluellen DT Florida State
87. John Greco OL Toledo
88. Antwaun Molden CB Eastern Kentucky
89. Jeremy Zuttah OL Rutgers
90. Joseph Bryant DT Texas A&M
82. Jerome Simpson, WR, Coastal Carolina
The draft isn't about college productivity. It's about measurables. Jerome Simpson of Coastal Carolina caught only 41 passes last season for 697 yards and 11 touchdowns – yet he's rated higher on this draft board than All-Big Ten wide receivers Mario Manningham and Dorien Bryant because of one freaky measurable. He has 11-inch hands, the biggest on this draft board. James Hardy is next with 10¼-inch hands. Big hands translate into reliable hands in the NFL scouting community. Simpson also has size (6-1½, 199 pounds), speed (4.42 seconds in the 40) and productivity, leaving Coastal as the school's all-time leading receiver. When NFL talent evaluators view Simpson, they see measurables that could give him a chance for greatness.
91-100
Rank, player Pos. School
91. Tyvon Branch S Connecticut
92. Keenan Burton WR Kentucky
93. Jacob Hester FB LSU
94. Tashard Choice HB Georgia Tech
95. Dre Moore DT Maryland
96. Terrence Wheatley CB Colorado
97. Chaun Washington HB Southern California
98. Kendall Langford DE Hampton
99. Andre Woodson QB Kentucky
100. Xavier Adibi OLB Virginia Tech
91. Tyvon Branch, S, Connecticut
Branch lined up at cornerback last season. But he's a physical presence (230 career tackles) with speed (4.31 seconds in the 40-yard dash) at the back end, so some NFL teams project him at safety. There's a premium on coverage safeties in the NFL, and Branch would have the speed and skills to match up with the slot receivers. He's a former prep and college sprint champion and also uses his speed on kickoff returns, averaging 28.9 yards in 2007 with two touchdowns. So even if he doesn't start at safety, he can have a rookie impact on special teams
behind 8 backs
