NationalFootballPost top 10 players at each position for draft

[cowboyjoe]

By Wes Bunting
Posted February 10, 2009 Email to a Friend Print This ShareThisNFP Prospect Position Rankings
One of the greatest challenges a scouting department faces is ensuring its draft board and position rankings are up to date. With the NFL Combine less than two weeks away, teams must have well-constructed position rankings and a good idea which players need more attention in the next couple of weeks. Here are the National Football Post’s rankings of the top 10 players at each position.



QUARTERBACKS



1. Mark Sanchez, USC (6-3, 225)

2. Matthew Stafford, Georgia (6-3, 236)

3. Josh Freeman, Kansas State (6-6, 248)

4. Nate Davis, Ball State (6-2, 218)

5. Graham Harrell, Texas Tech (6-2, 205)

6. Rhett Bomar, Sam Houston State (6-2, 216)

7. Stephen McGee, Texas A&M (6-3, 216)

8. Pat White, West Virginia (6-0, 192)

9. Nathan Brown, Central Arkansas (6-1, 214)

10. Rudy Carpenter, Arizona State (6-2, 222)



RUNNING BACKS



1. Knowshon Moreno, Georgia (5-11, 208)

2. Chris Wells, Ohio State (6-1, 237)

3. LeSean McCoy, Pittsburgh (5-11, 210)

4. Shonn Greene, Iowa (5-11, 235)

5. Donald Brown, Connecticut (5-10, 210)

6. Javon Ringer, Michigan State (5-9, 205)

7. Jeremiah Johnson, Oregon (5-9, 208)

8. Andre Brown, N.C. State (6-0 224)

9. Rashad Jennings, Liberty (6-1, 232)

10. James Davis, Clemson (5-11, 207



THIRD-DOWN BACKS



1. Devin Moore, Wyoming (5-9, 191)

2. Mike Goodson, Texas A&M (6-0, 198)

3. Tyrell Sutton, Northwestern (5-8, 210)

4. Kory Sheets, Purdue (5-11, 203)

5. Marcus Thigpen, Indiana (5-8, 198)



FULLBACKS



1. Quinn Johnson, LSU (6-1, 260)

2. Conredge Collins, Pittsburgh (5-11, 232)

3. Tony Fiammetta, Syracuse (6-0, 238)

4. Travis McCall, Alabama (6-2, 276)

5. Brannan Southerland, Georgia (6-0, 245)

6. Eric Kettani, Navy (6-0, 242)

7. Mark Hafner, Houston (6-2, 235)

8. Marquez Branson, Central Arkansas (6-2, 248)

9. David Johnson, Arkansas State (6-2, 250)

10. Jorvorskie Lane, Texas A&M (6-0, 278)



WIDE RECEIVERS



1. Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech (6-3. 214)

2. Jeremy Maclin, Missouri (6-1, 200)

3. Percy Harvin, Florida (5-11,195)

4. Hakeem Nicks, North Carolina (6-1, 210)

5. Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland (6-2, 206)

6. Kenny Britt, Rutgers (6-4, 215)

7. Derrick Williams, Penn State (6-0, 200)

8. Juaquin Iglesias, Oklahoma (6-0 204)

9. Brian Robiskie, Ohio State (6-2, 200)

10. Louis Murphy, Florida (6-2, 205)



SLOT RECEIVERS



1. Mike Thomas, Arizona (5-8 187)

2. Quan Cosby, Texas (5-9, 191)

3. Deon Butler, Penn State (5-11, 168)

4. Sammie Stroughter, Oregon State (6-0, 189)

5. Jordan Norwood, Penn State (5-10, 174)



POSSESSION RECEIVERS



1. Patrick Turner, USC (6-5, 221)

2. Ramses Barden, Cal Poly (6-6, 227)

3. Jamarko Simmons, Western Michigan (6-2, 241)

4. Aaron Kelly, Clemson (6-5, 193)

5. Greg Orton, Purdue (6-3, 210)



TIGHT ENDS



1. Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma State (6-6, 260)

2. Shawn Nelson, Southern Mississippi (6-5, 242)

3. Chase Coffman, Missouri (6-6, 252)

4. James Casey, Rice (6-4, 235)

5. Jared Cook, South Carolina (6-5, 242)

6. Travis Beckum, Wisconsin (6-3, 237)

7. Cornelius Ingram, Florida (6-4, 245)

8. Brian Mandeville, Northeastern (6-6, 255)

9. Davon Drew, East Carolina (6-4, 258)

10. Ryan Purvis, Boston College (6-4, 255)



OFFENSIVE TACKLES



1. Eugene Monroe, Virginia (6-5, 315)

2. Andre Smith, Alabama (6-4, 340)

3. Jason Smith, Baylor (6-5, 300)

4. Michael Oher, Mississippi (6-5, 320)

5. Eben Britton, Arizona (6-6, 310)

6. William Beatty, Connecticut (6-6, 310)

7. Jamon Meredith, South Carolina (6-5, 289)

8. Fenuki Tupou, Oregon (6-5, 332)

9. Troy Kropog, Tulane (6-6, 316)

10. Augustus Parrish, Kent State (6-5, 300)



OFFENSIVE GUARDS



1. Duke Robinson, Oklahoma (6-5, 335)

2. Herman Johnson, LSU (6-7, 335)

3. Tyronne Green, Auburn (6-2, 309)

4. Andy Levitre, Oregon State (6-2, 318)

5. Trevor Canfield, Cincinnati (6-5, 305)

6. Seth Olsen, Iowa (6-5, 304)

7. T.J. Lang, Eastern Michigan (6-4, 312)

8. Kraig Urbik, Wisconsin (6-6, 323)

9. Cornelius Lewis, Tennessee State (6-4, 324)

10. Jaimie Thomas, Maryland (6-4, 331)



CENTERS



1. Alex Mack, California (6-4, 314)

2. Max Unger, Oregon (6-5, 305)

3. Eric Wood, Louisville (6-5, 308)

4. Antoine Caldwell, Alabama (6-5, 305)

5. Jonathan Luigs, Arkansas (6-5, 314)

6. Cecil Newton, Tennessee State (6-2, 295)

7. A.Q. Shipley, Penn State (6-1, 297)

8. Alex Fletcher, Stanford (6-3, 302)

9. Brett Helms, LSU (6-2, 282)

10. Jon Cooper, Oklahoma (6-2, 292)



4-3 DEFENSIVE ENDS



1. Brian Orakpo, Texas (6-4, 260)

2. Robert Ayers, Tennessee (6-3, 273)

3. Michael Johnson, Georgia Tech (6-7, 260)

4. Paul Kruger, Utah (6-5, 265)

5. Connor Barwin, Cincinnati (6-4, 255)

6. David Veikune, Hawaii (6-2, 255)

7. Phillip Hunt, Houston (6-1, 261)

8. Michael Bennett, Texas A&M (6-4, 271)

9. Brandon Williams, Texas Tech (6-5, 252)

10. Lawrence Sidbury Jr., Richmond (6-3, 267)



3-4 DEFENSIVE ENDS



1. Jarron Gilbert, San Jose State (6-5, 287)

2. Tyson Jackson, LSU (6-4, 295)

3. Everette Pedescleaux, Northern Iowa (6-6, 305)

4. Ra’Shon Harris, Oregon (6-4, 300)

5. Kyle Moore, USC (6-5, 273)

6. Zach Potter, Nebraska (6-7, 277)

7. Pannel Egboh, Stanford (6-6, 272)

8. Khalif Mitchell, East Carolina (6-5, 317)

9. Jeremy Navarre, Maryland (6-3, 285)

10. Bobby Greenwood, Alabama (6-5, 280)



NOSE TACKLES



1. B.J. Raji, Boston College (6-1, 325)

2. Ron Brace, Boston College (6-3, 326)

3. Fili Moala, USC (6-5, 305)

4. Dorell Scott, Clemson (6-3, 310)

5. Terrance Taylor, Michigan (6-1, 314)

6. Sammie Lee Hill, Stillman (6-4, 331)

7. Terrance Knighton, Temple (6-3, 324)

8. Myron Pryor, Kentucky (6-0 310)

9. Marlon Favorite, LSU (6-1, 208)

10. Louis Ellis, Shaw (6-2, 315)



THREE-TECHNIQUE TACKLES



1. Peria Jerry, Mississippi (6-3, 295)

2. Sen’Derrick Marks, Auburn (6-1, 295)

3. Evander Hood, Missouri (6-3, 295)

4. Ricky Jean-Francois, LSU (6-3, 290)

5. Mitch King, Iowa (6-2, 275)

6. Corvey Irvin, Georgia (6-3, 289)

7. Alex Magee, Purdue (6-3, 295)

8. Vance Walker, Georgia Tech (6-2, 295)

9. Chris Baker, Hampton (6-2, 308)

10. Clinton McDonald, Memphis (6-2, 289)



4-3 OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS



1. Aaron Curry, Wake Forest (6-2, 246)

2. Brian Cushing, USC (6-4, 243)

3. Tyrone McKenzie, South Florida (6-2, 235)

4. Marcus Freeman, Ohio State (6-1, 238)

5. Zack Follett, California (6-2, 238)

6. Mortty Ivy, West Virginia (6-1, 236)

7. Nic Harris, Oklahoma (6-3, 233)

8. Lee Robinson, Alcorn State (6-2, 249)

9. Jonathan Casillas, Wisconsin (6-1, 226)

10. Brian Toal, Boston College (6-1, 238)



3-4 OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS



1. Everette Brown, Florida State (6-4, 252)

2. Aaron Maybin, Penn State (6-4, 238)

3. Clay Matthews, USC (6-3, 246)

4. Larry English, Northern Illinois (6-2, 254)

5. Clint Sintim, Virginia (6-3, 249)

6. Cody Brown, Connecticut (6-2, 242)

7. Orion Martin, Virginia Tech (6-2, 248)

8. Victor Butler, Oregon State (6-2 241)

9. Moise Fokou, Maryland (6-2, 233)

10. Matt Shaughnessy, Wisconsin (6-5, 253)



INSIDE LINEBACKERS



1. Rey Maualuga, USC (6-2, 260)

2. James Laurinaitis, Ohio State (6-2, 240)

3. Darry Beckwith, LSU (6-1, 235)

4. Scott McKillop, Pittsburgh (6-1, 240)

5. Frantz Joseph, Florida Atlantic (6-2, 243)

6. Worrell Williams, California (6-0, 250)

7. Gerald McRath, Southern Miss (6-3, 220)

8. Dannell Ellerbe, Georgia (6-1, 236)

9. Jason Phillips, TCU (6-1, 235)

10. Jasper Brinkley, South Carolina (6-2, 265)



CORNERBACKS



1. Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State (6-0, 200)

2. D.J. Moore, Vanderbilt (5-10, 184)

3. Sean Smith, Utah (6-3, 215)

4. Vontae Davis, Illinois (6-0, 205)

5. Alphonso Smith, Wake Forest (5-9. 190)

6. Coye Francies, San Jose State (6-0 179)

7. Asher Allen, Georgia (5-10, 198)

8. Jairus Byrd, Oregon (6-0 200)

9. Darius Butler, Connecticut (5-11, 187)

10. Victor Harris, Virginia Tech (5-11, 195)



FREE SAFETIES



1. Louis Delmas, Western Michigan (6-0, 196)

2. William Moore, Missouri (6-1, 226)

3. Rashad Johnson, Alabama (6-0, 190)

4. Derek Pegues, Mississippi State (5-10, 195)

5. Sherrod Martin, Troy (6-1, 193)

6. Brandon Underwood, Cincinnati (6-1, 192)

7. David Bruton, Notre Dame (6-2, 210)

8. Darcel McBath, Texas Tech (6-1, 198)

9. Troy Nolan, Arizona State (6-1, 207)

10. Curtis Taylor, LSU (6-2, 208)



STRONG SAFETIES



1. Patrick Chung, Oregon (5-11, 210)

2. Chip Vaughn, Wake Forest (6-2, 214)

3. Kevin Ellison, USC (6-1, 228)

4. Emanuel Cook, South Carolina (5-10, 205)

5. Michael Hamlin, Clemson (6-3, 206)

6. Stephen Hodge, TCU (6-0 214)

7. Trimane Goddard, North Carolina (5-11, 195)

8. Otis Wiley, Michigan State (6-2, 210)

9. Courtney Greene, Rutgers, (6-1, 211)

10. Kevin Akins, Boston College (6-2, 224)



SPECIALISTS



1. K/P Louie Sakoda, Utah (5-9, 171)

2. K/P Graham Gano, Florida State (6-1, 192)

3. LS Jake Ingram, Hawaii (6-3 235)

4. K Jose Martinez, UTEP (5-9, 200)

5. P Thomas Morstead, Southern Methodist (6-4, 228)

6. P Kevin Huber, Cincinnati (6-1, 224)

7. K Pat McAfee, West Virginia (6-0 228)

8. K Ryan Succop, South Carolina (6-2, 224)

9. K Sam Swank, Wake Forest (6-0 202)

10. LS Mark Estermyer, Pittsburgh (6-1, 247)

 

[28 Joker]

Cowboyjoe,

What is the deal with Phil Loadholt?

The NFP has rates him in the fourth. NFLDraftScout projects him in the 2-3 and rates him # 61.

Loadholt has that alchohol arrest in a car. That is a turnoff.

Can this guy play LT or not? Most say he's a RT.


Plus, NFLDraftScout now rates Jason Watkins in the 3rd round and rates him # 86. He was rated # 122 and had a 4th round projection. The NFP doesn't even put him in the 4th round. He's gone from a 4-5 round projection to the 3rd round since the Senior Bowl.

 

[cowboyjoe]

41gy, he is more a RT, he is too slow in his feet issue for LOT

and he will need to get alittle bigger and stronger too

so i see him going anywhere from 2nd to 4th round right now

what will tell on his draft stock will be how he does in the combines at the nfl coming up, that will tell where he lands, right now, id say somewhere in the 3rd round

 

[DaBoys4Life]

this list is fail.

 

[28 Joker]

41gy, he is more a RT, he is too slow in his feet issue for LOT

and he will need to get alittle bigger and stronger too

so i see him going anywhere from 2nd to 4th round right now

what will tell on his draft stock will be how he does in the combines at the nfl coming up, that will tell where he lands, right now, id say somewhere in the 3rd round

Thanks, Cowboyjoe. 3rd round sounds right to me, too.

I bet the Bears might draft him in round 2. If they pass, I could see him slipping to round three. The arrest is a turnoff. Ramon Foster is one alternative to Loadholt. If Foster gets down to about 328, I think he can play RT and RG.

I would track Jason Watkins and draft a Robinson or Johnson in round 2. LT needs to be addressed, but it is really thin. The Cowboys talked to Watkins. I hope he's this year's Tashard Choice.

Speaking of Choice.

Would you dare deal him for a 2nd or 3rd? It's going to be tough to get him on the field. On the other hand, the Cowboys would have been in big trouble without him.

Can you afford to be stacked three deep at running back with all the other needs? I know the Giants were stacked, but they are gong to lose one of those guys this year. Plus, Romo has the abilty to throw for 4,000 yards.

Choice's value will never be higher. Getting a good 2nd or third rounder for him, could be a safety or a guy like Mohamed Massoquoi.

Barber and Choice were both 4th round picks. You could find another back to be the third guy.

I do like Choice. I'm just looking at the needs. Another 3rd round pick would be nice.

I would deal Crayton for sure. One can dream.

 

[cowboyjoe]

I would track Jason Watkins and draft a Robinson or Johnson in round 2. LT needs to be addressed, but it is really thin. The Cowboys talked to Watkins. I hope he's this year's Tashard Choice.

Remember Watkins is one player that the Cowboys looked at during the senior bowl etc. I think Watkins maybe like Erik Williams was, about a year away with strength, etc.

Speaking of Choice.

Would you dare deal him for a 2nd or 3rd? It's going to be tough to get him on the field. On the other hand, the Cowboys would have been in big trouble without him.

Can you afford to be stacked three deep at running back with all the other needs? I know the Giants were stacked, but they are gong to lose one of those guys this year. Plus, Romo has the abilty to throw for 4,000 yards.

Choice's value will never be higher. Getting a good 2nd or third rounder for him, could be a safety or a guy like Mohamed Massoquoi.

Barber and Choice were both 4th round picks. You could find another back to be the third guy.

I do like Choice. I'm just looking at the needs. Another 3rd round pick would be nice.

Yes, I would keep choice, 2 main reasons, the big toe surgery that Felix had, its real hard to come back from. Hopefully though, Felix is ok! Lord willing! Next, yes, keep the 3 running back tandems, because next reason is this, barber was injured remember, and barber isnt an all day starter. Possilbly barber should be played like he did with julius jones, about 2 full quarters, and the other 2 quarters felix and choice playing. This also makes the defenses have to prepare for 3 different style of runners.

Since, we have barber, felix and choice locked up for 3-4 years, then keep them. This will allow you also to focus your draft attention to other areas besides running backs. this year for running backs isnt strong anyway.

In 2-3 years you could trade choice or barber, etc. And get pretty good value.

I would deal Crayton for sure. One can dream.
On crayton, I have been saying this now for about 3 months. We have T O, Roy Williams, austin, hurd, crayton and stanback-with stanback probably not making the team this year if he keeps getting hurt. Austin started to come on last year. If T O isnt traded, your still loaded at wr with T O, Roy Williams & Austin, how is crayton going to get the ball?

So, crayton has great trade value, and I do think in right scenario you can get a 3rd for crayton in the draft.

That is only if you keep T O.

 

[cowboyjoe]

Then I forgot to add in this, what did wade phillips say at the end of the year, we need to keep the ball out of romos hands as much as possible, and run the football. So, romo isnt being forced to win the game by himself. Something like that is what wade said. Which is what you want to do, with the big huge offensive line the cowboys have, the 3 running backs, the 3 good TE's now with Witten, Bennett and Curtis, you run the football, make the defense put 8 men in the box, then you throw on them like the cowboys did in the 90's. I think this is also why the cowboys are looking at offensive linemen in the draft, to have good quality backup, so by the end of the season, those rookie offensive linemen have gotten their feet wet somewhat and are ready to play.

If you can get a duke robinson or wood, or watkins or loadbelt however you spell his name, you improve your backup in the offensive linemen. Then with Holland having a full year and training camp under his belt, and hopefully with Doug Free having that extra year, you will have good backup offensive linemen if you can get one or 2 good offensive linemen in this draft.

the key for the cowboys this year though will be in free agency, hopefully Chris Canty doesnt get a big offer, and cowboys can match it, and the cowboys can keep burnett. I dont like bobby barbiedoll carpenter, so if we can keep those 2 players for sure along with austin, then we can concentrated with a good draft and getting what we need in the draft.

its loaded this year if you do your homework with offensive linemen, wrs, linebackers, and some defensive linemen, but you have to have a good scouting department. If the cowboys can do that, and trade either T O or crayton say for a 3rd, then we can that extra player we need and not reach in the draft.

 

[28 Joker]

cowboyjoe,

Thanks for the reply. Good argument for keeping Tashard Choice. I would rather trade Crayton, even if Owens is cut. I think Sam Hurd and Felix Jones could play the slot. Plus, Witten and Bennett could move out there at times. Bennett could play it like Dallas Clark did for the Colts if you wanted to do it.

A third for Crayton would be gold.

I hope Felix gets well, too. He's one of the Cowboys best players even with his inexperience. Stewart recovered, so I hope Felix recovers like the doctors say he will. It was nice to hear the Cat say his recovery was going smooth.

Nice thoughts. I'm really hoping to retain Kevin Burnett. I don't see the talent to replace him where the Cowboys pick. I like Frantz from Florida Atlantic. He's rising and right now could go in the 5th. I think he's a strongside guy, though. Plus, the 5th is a late pick for the Cowboys.

I would focus on OLine and safety in this draft, especially with the first four picks. The Cowboys should find the value at thos positions. If the Cowboys can nail these positions like they did CB and RB last year, they will have done very well.

 

[TheSport78]

cowboyjoe,

Thanks for the reply. Good argument for keeping Tashard Choice. I would rather trade Crayton, even if Owens is cut. I think Sam Hurd and Felix Jones could play the slot. Plus, Witten and Bennett could move out there at times. Bennett could play it like Dallas Clark did for the Colts if you wanted to do it.

A third for Crayton would be gold.

I hope Felix gets well, too. He's one of the Cowboys best players even with his inexperience. Stewart recovered, so I hope Felix recovers like the doctors say he will. It was nice to hear the Cat say his recovery was going smooth.

Nice thoughts. I'm really hoping to retain Kevin Burnett. I don't see the talent to replace him where the Cowboys pick. I like Frantz from Florida Atlantic. He's rising and right now could go in the 5th. I think he's a strongside guy, though. Plus, the 5th is a late pick for the Cowboys.

I would focus on OLine and safety in this draft, especially with the first four picks. The Cowboys should find the value at thos positions. If the Cowboys can nail these positions like they did CB and RB last year, they will have done very well.

A 3rd for Crayton? Are you kidding me? RANDY MOSS was had for 4th round pick and some team is going to trade a 3rd for a solid #4/good #3 WR? Please.

 

[DaBoys4Life]

A 3rd for Crayton? Are you kidding me? RANDY MOSS was had for 4th round pick and some team is going to trade a 3rd for a solid #4/good #3 WR? Please.

Craytons last two season numbers were better than Moss's two season in Oakland.

 

[cowboyjoe]

the reason why i mentioned a 3rd for crayton, thats what i heard from sources, the value for crayton was around the 3rd round.

if T O is cut or released or traded, I wouldnt want to trade crayton, rather have him for experience, you cant depend on austin yet, since he hasnt done it, and you do have injury issues, so you want experience with wr somewhat

 

[TheSport78]

Craytons last two season numbers were better than Moss's two season in Oakland.

What about the season where Moss broke Jerry Rice's single season TD record? Crayton can't shine Moss' shoes. The two shouldn't even be in the same discussion.

 

[cowboyjoe]

i didnt say that crayton was as good as T O,

but in value, and teams that know him,

then yes, you possibly could get a 3rd rounder,

all it takes is 2 to tango to get the value up

say for instance, most likely the dolphins are or would be interested in crayton, we do know they are interested in Austin;

so if the dolphins are interested in austin, most likely would be interested in crayton, now at the same time, there were what, 4 to 5 teams this year with new head coaches, you might get someone like the jets interested in crayton too, then you can start a bidding war for crayton which will drive up the price of a draft choice;