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Top 100 prospects: Monroe heads the list
By National Football Post) Mar 9, 7:13 pm EDT
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Buzz up! 37 votes
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With the NFL draft fast approaching, we went back to the film room and studied tape to answer lingering questions about the nation’s top prospects. Significant changes can be found at the cornerback, outside linebacker and safety positions in the National Football Post’s latest installment of our top-100 draft board.
1. OT Eugene Monroe, Virginia An athletically gifted tackle with the length and feet to be a difference maker on the left side.
2. DT B.J. Raji, Boston College A powerful defensive tackle who can push the pocket and eat up blockers inside.
3. OLB Aaron Curry, Wake Forest Displayed rare athletic ability for his size at the NFL scouting combine and is now in the running to be the first overall pick.
4. WR Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech A foot injury discovered at the combine may keep him out of the top five on draft day.
5. OT Jason Smith, Baylor A former tight end who possesses the feet and length to handle the left side.
6. QB Mark Sanchez, USC Showcases ideal anticipation skills and accuracy for the position; only concern is experience.
7. OLB/DE Everette Brown, Florida State An ideal pass-rushing OLB who has the first step to consistently reach the corner.
8. ILB Rey Maualuga, USC One of the safest players in this year’s draft, he will come in and make an impact inside from day one.
9. RB Knowshon Moreno, Georgia One of the most instinctive running backs to come along in years.
10. QB Matthew Stafford, Georgia All the physical tools are there, but scouts worry about his lack of success in big games.
11. DE Brian Orakpo, Texas A physically gifted defensive end with the power and burst to be a factor off the edge.
12. DT Peria Jerry, Mississippi One of the draft’s most underrated players; has the burst, length and motor to consistently penetrate at the next level.
13. DE Robert Ayers, Tennessee He’s as NFL-ready as any prospect in the draft.
14. OT Andre Smith, Alabama There are some character concerns, but his talent and base strength are undeniable.
15. OLB Clay Matthews, USC Continues to impress scouts, as his 1.49 10-yard split was one of the fastest at the combine.
16. OT Michael Oher, Mississippi Has the talent to be a top-five pick, but you worry about his instincts as a left tackle.
17. CB/FS Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State An instinctive defensive back who offers some versatility as a corner/safety tweener.
18. RB Chris Wells, Ohio State Showcases amazing feet and body control for a back with his dimensions. If he wants it, the sky’s the limit.
19. FS/CB Sean Smith, Utah Exhibits impressive body control and footwork for his size; has the versatility to play corner and safety at the next level.
20. WR/RB Percy Harvin, Florida A consistent vertical threat who is dynamite with the ball in his hands.
21. CB Alphonso Smith, Wake Forest A fluid corner who displays the footwork and balance to always put himself in position to make plays.
22. WR Jeremy Maclin, Missouri A big-time playmaker who needs to become a more polished route runner.
23. DE Aaron Maybin, Penn State A long-armed pass rusher who exhibits great first-step quickness and awareness off the edge.
24. OT William Beatty, Connecticut A graceful left tackle with good length and hand placement on the outside.
25. WR Hakeem Nicks, North Carolina A physical wideout who makes up for his lack of top-end speed with impressive route-running ability.
26. DT Evander Hood, Missouri Has been flying up draft boards all postseason. His impressive combine performance will land him a spot in the first round.
27. TE Shawn Nelson, Southern Miss His combination of size, athletic ability and length will help him make an instant impact at the next level.
28. DE Jarron Gilbert, San Jose State Has the strength, coordination and length to be draft’s top five-technique defensive end.
29. OLB Connor Barwin, Cincinnati It’s scary to think how good this kid could be if he specialized at one position.
30. WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland An explosive vertical threat, he possesses an unparalleled combination of size and speed.
31. ILB James Laurinaitis, Ohio State Relies on his instincts and technique but always finds a way to get after the ball.
32. CB Darius Butler, Connecticut An electric corner with great body control; will stick his head in vs. the run.
33. OLB Brian Cushing, USC I’m having a tough time figuring out what position he’s going to play at the next level. May be best suited to play inside in a 3-4 scheme.
34. C Alex Mack, California A nasty mauler who displays better athleticism than he’s given credit for.
35. CB D.J. Moore, Vanderbilt Struggled a bit at the combine, but you can’t take away the click-and-close ability he displays on film.
36. OT Eben Britton, Arizona Would be rated higher if it weren’t for his lack of length (32¾) on the outside.
37. DT Sen’Derrick Marks, Auburn An explosive interior pass rusher who’s an ideal fit in a one-gapping scheme.
38. C Max Unger, Oregon One of the most athletic centers to come along in years; has the versatility to kick out to tackle as well.
39. TE Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma State A dual receiving/blocking tight end threat, but he simply doesn’t have the kind of explosion to warrant a first-round grade.
40. DE Tyson Jackson, LSU Has the power and length to make a seamless transition to the five-technique defensive end position.
41. CB Vontae Davis, Illinois Displays great size/speed numbers, but I worry about his technique, instincts and willingness to get better.
42. WR Kenny Britt, Rutgers Has the size and suddenness to develop into a No. 1-type receiver.
43. DT Ron Brace, Boston College A physical interior lineman with the girth and power to eat up blockers.
44. TE James Casey, Rice Possesses quite possibly the best ball skills of any player in the draft; will be able to consistently create mismatches in the pass game.
45. DE David Veikune, Hawaii Possesses a deceiving first step off the edge and has the power and natural leverage to get under tackles and shed blocks.
46. CB Asher Allen, Georgia A compact corner who possesses the fluidity to stay with receivers out of their breaks.
47. OG Duke Robinson, Oklahoma Has yet to work out in front of scouts; seems like the draft’s top guard by default.
48. CB Coye Francies, San Jose State Didn’t run well at the combine but showcases a first step on film that screams ball hawk.
49. DE Michael Johnson, Georgia Tech Possesses a rare blend of physical skills but has yet to put it all together.
50. TE Jared Cook, South Carolina An explosive tight end who exhibits the vertical speed to consistently make plays down the seam.
51. DE Lawrence Sidbury Jr., Richmond A small-school guy with immense talent, his combination of balance and burst will make him tough to block at the next level.
52. RB Shonn Greene, Iowa Lacks ideal straight-line speed for the position but has the balance, vision and foot quickness to carry the load at the next level.
53. TE Chase Coffman, Missouri A big, physical tight end with ideal ball skills and body control for the position.
54. RB Donald Brown, Connecticut Needs to become a more patient back but displays impressive power and burst between the tackles.
55. QB Josh Freeman, Kansas State Exhibits a rare skill set for the position but will need considerable time to develop.
56. RB LeSean McCoy, Pittsburgh Doesn’t display the type of power or vision needed to create plays between the tackles.
57. OG Herman Johnson, LSU Massive interior lineman with the size and length to excel in a power-run scheme.
58. FS Sherrod Martin, Troy Is in the mix as the draft’s top safety prospect.
59. C Eric Wood, Louisville A physical center who loves to maul defenders in the run game.
60. OG Andy Levitre, Oregon State A former short-armed left tackle who will get kicked inside at the next level.
61. C Antoine Caldwell, Alabama Has been forgotten a bit in recent weeks; however, he has the ability to start early in his career at the next level.
62. WR Juaquin Iglesias, Oklahoma A smooth playmaker with better short-area quickness than given credit for.
63. CB Jairus Byrd, Oregon Possesses ideal ball skills but is a bit scheme limited because of his lack of top-end speed.
64. OG Tyronne Green, Auburn Possesses a devastating punch and will continue to improve with added technique to his game.
65. DT Mitch King, Iowa Love his technique, motor and instincts inside; he’ll find a way to make an impact in a one-gap defensive scheme.
66. OLB Larry English, Northern Illinois Will need to make the transition to a 3-4 OLB.
67. SS William Moore, Missouri Has the skill set to warrant first-round consideration, but he really struggled with injuries as a senior.
68. OT Fenuki Tupou, Oregon A massive tackle prospect with good power and smooth feet for his size.
69. FS Louis Delmas, Western Michigan An athletic safety who loves to throw his body around in the secondary.
70. DT Fili Moala, USC A big, long-armed athlete who has the versatility to play all over the defensive line.
71. QB Pat White, West Virginia Has done nothing but prove doubters who say he can’t play QB wrong.
72. TE Cornelius Ingram, Florida Has bounced back nicely from a 2008 knee injury and looks to be regaining his previous form.
73. DT Dorell Scott, Clemson A powerful interior lineman who combines an impressive first step with good pass-rush technique inside.
74. OT/OG Jamon Meredith, South Carolina His lack of girth and strength may force him inside to guard.
75. TE Travis Beckum, Wisconsin A mismatch nightmare at the next level in the pass game, but he still needs to learn to block.
76. DT/DE Alex Magee, Purdue A long-armed tweener who has the versatility to play anywhere on the defensive line in the NFL.
77. SS Patrick Chung, Oregon Relies on his instincts and read-and-react ability rather than pure athleticism.
78. OG Trevor Canfield, Cincinnati A tough, athletic guard who looks natural in space and plays with a mean streak.
79. CB Kevin Barnes, Maryland Was on his way to a possible first-round grade until a shoulder injury ended his 2008 season.
80. ILB Frantz Joseph, Florida Atlantic A physical, downhill linebacker with impressive power and quickness at the line of scrimmage.
81. SS Chip Vaughn, Wake Forest Possesses an impressive frame and has the range to play the center field-type role at the next level.
82. WR Derrick Williams, Penn State Will need to improve on a horrendous 40 time at the combine (4.65) to have any shot in the first three rounds.
83. ILB Scott McKillop, Pittsburgh He’s always around the football and simply finds a way to make plays.
84. WR Brian Robiskie, Ohio State We don’t know what all the hype is about. Best-case scenario, he’s a No. 2 receiver at the next level with little upside.
85. OLB Clint Sintim, Virginia A pass-rushing OLB who doesn’t offer much upside to NFL teams.
86. OLB/DE Paul Kruger, Utah Is too much of a straight-line athlete; may be limited to a pass rushing OLB role in a 3-4 defense.
87. OLB Tyrone McKenzie, South Florida A fast-flowing linebacker who possesses ideal sideline-to-sideline range.
88. RB Andre Brown, North Carolina State Displayed better than anticipated straight-line speed at the combine (4.47) and could be the first senior RB off the board.
89. RB Jeremiah Johnson, Oregon Is more quick than fast but possesses an ability to make plays out of the backfield.
90. CB Victor Harris, Virginia Tech Lacks ideal size, speed and footwork but has good instincts and a real nose for the ball.
91. RB Rashad Jennings, Liberty His athletic ability and size are intriguing, but I worry about his shiftiness and upright running style.
92. OG Cornelius Lewis, Tennessee State A physical, small-school tackle who has the power and base strength to create movement inside at guard.
93. OT Joel Bell, Furman A tough, long-armed tackle who displayed impressive straight-line speed (5.15) and athleticism at the combine.
94. FS Rashad Johnson, Alabama A physical safety with good range and elite ball skills in space.
95. OG T.J. Lang, Eastern Michigan Former tackle who has the base strength and athleticism to excel inside.
96. RB Glen Coffee, Alabama A tough, physical slasher who runs aggressively and keeps his legs moving through contact.
97. WR Mike Thomas, Arizona The draft’s top slot receiver.
98. C Cecil Newton, Tennessee State An intriguing small-school center with a strong base and smooth footwork inside.
99. CB Christopher Owens, San Jose State A savvy corner who displays good ball skills in zone coverage.
100. WR Mike Wallace, Mississippi The wideout no one is talking about. A gifted vertical threat who gets up to speed instantly. He has a skill set similar to Darrius Heyward-Bey, but Wallace made more big plays during the year.
By National Football Post) Mar 9, 7:13 pm EDT
*
Buzz up! 37 votes
*
With the NFL draft fast approaching, we went back to the film room and studied tape to answer lingering questions about the nation’s top prospects. Significant changes can be found at the cornerback, outside linebacker and safety positions in the National Football Post’s latest installment of our top-100 draft board.
1. OT Eugene Monroe, Virginia An athletically gifted tackle with the length and feet to be a difference maker on the left side.
2. DT B.J. Raji, Boston College A powerful defensive tackle who can push the pocket and eat up blockers inside.
3. OLB Aaron Curry, Wake Forest Displayed rare athletic ability for his size at the NFL scouting combine and is now in the running to be the first overall pick.
4. WR Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech A foot injury discovered at the combine may keep him out of the top five on draft day.
5. OT Jason Smith, Baylor A former tight end who possesses the feet and length to handle the left side.
6. QB Mark Sanchez, USC Showcases ideal anticipation skills and accuracy for the position; only concern is experience.
7. OLB/DE Everette Brown, Florida State An ideal pass-rushing OLB who has the first step to consistently reach the corner.
8. ILB Rey Maualuga, USC One of the safest players in this year’s draft, he will come in and make an impact inside from day one.
9. RB Knowshon Moreno, Georgia One of the most instinctive running backs to come along in years.
10. QB Matthew Stafford, Georgia All the physical tools are there, but scouts worry about his lack of success in big games.
11. DE Brian Orakpo, Texas A physically gifted defensive end with the power and burst to be a factor off the edge.
12. DT Peria Jerry, Mississippi One of the draft’s most underrated players; has the burst, length and motor to consistently penetrate at the next level.
13. DE Robert Ayers, Tennessee He’s as NFL-ready as any prospect in the draft.
14. OT Andre Smith, Alabama There are some character concerns, but his talent and base strength are undeniable.
15. OLB Clay Matthews, USC Continues to impress scouts, as his 1.49 10-yard split was one of the fastest at the combine.
16. OT Michael Oher, Mississippi Has the talent to be a top-five pick, but you worry about his instincts as a left tackle.
17. CB/FS Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State An instinctive defensive back who offers some versatility as a corner/safety tweener.
18. RB Chris Wells, Ohio State Showcases amazing feet and body control for a back with his dimensions. If he wants it, the sky’s the limit.
19. FS/CB Sean Smith, Utah Exhibits impressive body control and footwork for his size; has the versatility to play corner and safety at the next level.
20. WR/RB Percy Harvin, Florida A consistent vertical threat who is dynamite with the ball in his hands.
21. CB Alphonso Smith, Wake Forest A fluid corner who displays the footwork and balance to always put himself in position to make plays.
22. WR Jeremy Maclin, Missouri A big-time playmaker who needs to become a more polished route runner.
23. DE Aaron Maybin, Penn State A long-armed pass rusher who exhibits great first-step quickness and awareness off the edge.
24. OT William Beatty, Connecticut A graceful left tackle with good length and hand placement on the outside.
25. WR Hakeem Nicks, North Carolina A physical wideout who makes up for his lack of top-end speed with impressive route-running ability.
26. DT Evander Hood, Missouri Has been flying up draft boards all postseason. His impressive combine performance will land him a spot in the first round.
27. TE Shawn Nelson, Southern Miss His combination of size, athletic ability and length will help him make an instant impact at the next level.
28. DE Jarron Gilbert, San Jose State Has the strength, coordination and length to be draft’s top five-technique defensive end.
29. OLB Connor Barwin, Cincinnati It’s scary to think how good this kid could be if he specialized at one position.
30. WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland An explosive vertical threat, he possesses an unparalleled combination of size and speed.
31. ILB James Laurinaitis, Ohio State Relies on his instincts and technique but always finds a way to get after the ball.
32. CB Darius Butler, Connecticut An electric corner with great body control; will stick his head in vs. the run.
33. OLB Brian Cushing, USC I’m having a tough time figuring out what position he’s going to play at the next level. May be best suited to play inside in a 3-4 scheme.
34. C Alex Mack, California A nasty mauler who displays better athleticism than he’s given credit for.
35. CB D.J. Moore, Vanderbilt Struggled a bit at the combine, but you can’t take away the click-and-close ability he displays on film.
36. OT Eben Britton, Arizona Would be rated higher if it weren’t for his lack of length (32¾) on the outside.
37. DT Sen’Derrick Marks, Auburn An explosive interior pass rusher who’s an ideal fit in a one-gapping scheme.
38. C Max Unger, Oregon One of the most athletic centers to come along in years; has the versatility to kick out to tackle as well.
39. TE Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma State A dual receiving/blocking tight end threat, but he simply doesn’t have the kind of explosion to warrant a first-round grade.
40. DE Tyson Jackson, LSU Has the power and length to make a seamless transition to the five-technique defensive end position.
41. CB Vontae Davis, Illinois Displays great size/speed numbers, but I worry about his technique, instincts and willingness to get better.
42. WR Kenny Britt, Rutgers Has the size and suddenness to develop into a No. 1-type receiver.
43. DT Ron Brace, Boston College A physical interior lineman with the girth and power to eat up blockers.
44. TE James Casey, Rice Possesses quite possibly the best ball skills of any player in the draft; will be able to consistently create mismatches in the pass game.
45. DE David Veikune, Hawaii Possesses a deceiving first step off the edge and has the power and natural leverage to get under tackles and shed blocks.
46. CB Asher Allen, Georgia A compact corner who possesses the fluidity to stay with receivers out of their breaks.
47. OG Duke Robinson, Oklahoma Has yet to work out in front of scouts; seems like the draft’s top guard by default.
48. CB Coye Francies, San Jose State Didn’t run well at the combine but showcases a first step on film that screams ball hawk.
49. DE Michael Johnson, Georgia Tech Possesses a rare blend of physical skills but has yet to put it all together.
50. TE Jared Cook, South Carolina An explosive tight end who exhibits the vertical speed to consistently make plays down the seam.
51. DE Lawrence Sidbury Jr., Richmond A small-school guy with immense talent, his combination of balance and burst will make him tough to block at the next level.
52. RB Shonn Greene, Iowa Lacks ideal straight-line speed for the position but has the balance, vision and foot quickness to carry the load at the next level.
53. TE Chase Coffman, Missouri A big, physical tight end with ideal ball skills and body control for the position.
54. RB Donald Brown, Connecticut Needs to become a more patient back but displays impressive power and burst between the tackles.
55. QB Josh Freeman, Kansas State Exhibits a rare skill set for the position but will need considerable time to develop.
56. RB LeSean McCoy, Pittsburgh Doesn’t display the type of power or vision needed to create plays between the tackles.
57. OG Herman Johnson, LSU Massive interior lineman with the size and length to excel in a power-run scheme.
58. FS Sherrod Martin, Troy Is in the mix as the draft’s top safety prospect.
59. C Eric Wood, Louisville A physical center who loves to maul defenders in the run game.
60. OG Andy Levitre, Oregon State A former short-armed left tackle who will get kicked inside at the next level.
61. C Antoine Caldwell, Alabama Has been forgotten a bit in recent weeks; however, he has the ability to start early in his career at the next level.
62. WR Juaquin Iglesias, Oklahoma A smooth playmaker with better short-area quickness than given credit for.
63. CB Jairus Byrd, Oregon Possesses ideal ball skills but is a bit scheme limited because of his lack of top-end speed.
64. OG Tyronne Green, Auburn Possesses a devastating punch and will continue to improve with added technique to his game.
65. DT Mitch King, Iowa Love his technique, motor and instincts inside; he’ll find a way to make an impact in a one-gap defensive scheme.
66. OLB Larry English, Northern Illinois Will need to make the transition to a 3-4 OLB.
67. SS William Moore, Missouri Has the skill set to warrant first-round consideration, but he really struggled with injuries as a senior.
68. OT Fenuki Tupou, Oregon A massive tackle prospect with good power and smooth feet for his size.
69. FS Louis Delmas, Western Michigan An athletic safety who loves to throw his body around in the secondary.
70. DT Fili Moala, USC A big, long-armed athlete who has the versatility to play all over the defensive line.
71. QB Pat White, West Virginia Has done nothing but prove doubters who say he can’t play QB wrong.
72. TE Cornelius Ingram, Florida Has bounced back nicely from a 2008 knee injury and looks to be regaining his previous form.
73. DT Dorell Scott, Clemson A powerful interior lineman who combines an impressive first step with good pass-rush technique inside.
74. OT/OG Jamon Meredith, South Carolina His lack of girth and strength may force him inside to guard.
75. TE Travis Beckum, Wisconsin A mismatch nightmare at the next level in the pass game, but he still needs to learn to block.
76. DT/DE Alex Magee, Purdue A long-armed tweener who has the versatility to play anywhere on the defensive line in the NFL.
77. SS Patrick Chung, Oregon Relies on his instincts and read-and-react ability rather than pure athleticism.
78. OG Trevor Canfield, Cincinnati A tough, athletic guard who looks natural in space and plays with a mean streak.
79. CB Kevin Barnes, Maryland Was on his way to a possible first-round grade until a shoulder injury ended his 2008 season.
80. ILB Frantz Joseph, Florida Atlantic A physical, downhill linebacker with impressive power and quickness at the line of scrimmage.
81. SS Chip Vaughn, Wake Forest Possesses an impressive frame and has the range to play the center field-type role at the next level.
82. WR Derrick Williams, Penn State Will need to improve on a horrendous 40 time at the combine (4.65) to have any shot in the first three rounds.
83. ILB Scott McKillop, Pittsburgh He’s always around the football and simply finds a way to make plays.
84. WR Brian Robiskie, Ohio State We don’t know what all the hype is about. Best-case scenario, he’s a No. 2 receiver at the next level with little upside.
85. OLB Clint Sintim, Virginia A pass-rushing OLB who doesn’t offer much upside to NFL teams.
86. OLB/DE Paul Kruger, Utah Is too much of a straight-line athlete; may be limited to a pass rushing OLB role in a 3-4 defense.
87. OLB Tyrone McKenzie, South Florida A fast-flowing linebacker who possesses ideal sideline-to-sideline range.
88. RB Andre Brown, North Carolina State Displayed better than anticipated straight-line speed at the combine (4.47) and could be the first senior RB off the board.
89. RB Jeremiah Johnson, Oregon Is more quick than fast but possesses an ability to make plays out of the backfield.
90. CB Victor Harris, Virginia Tech Lacks ideal size, speed and footwork but has good instincts and a real nose for the ball.
91. RB Rashad Jennings, Liberty His athletic ability and size are intriguing, but I worry about his shiftiness and upright running style.
92. OG Cornelius Lewis, Tennessee State A physical, small-school tackle who has the power and base strength to create movement inside at guard.
93. OT Joel Bell, Furman A tough, long-armed tackle who displayed impressive straight-line speed (5.15) and athleticism at the combine.
94. FS Rashad Johnson, Alabama A physical safety with good range and elite ball skills in space.
95. OG T.J. Lang, Eastern Michigan Former tackle who has the base strength and athleticism to excel inside.
96. RB Glen Coffee, Alabama A tough, physical slasher who runs aggressively and keeps his legs moving through contact.
97. WR Mike Thomas, Arizona The draft’s top slot receiver.
98. C Cecil Newton, Tennessee State An intriguing small-school center with a strong base and smooth footwork inside.
99. CB Christopher Owens, San Jose State A savvy corner who displays good ball skills in zone coverage.
100. WR Mike Wallace, Mississippi The wideout no one is talking about. A gifted vertical threat who gets up to speed instantly. He has a skill set similar to Darrius Heyward-Bey, but Wallace made more big plays during the year.
