8. DeSean Jackson, WR, California. Separation is the key for Jackson. If your defense sees him with the ball in space, hope that you don't give up six points within the next blink of your eye.
He's an explosive return man with elite 40 speed (4.32) and perhaps even better acceleration. He's not that effective against bump-and-run coverage, but if you miss him, you'd better have good recovery speed.
Jackson has improved his route running this past year and is fairly crisp most of the time. However, he's not very strong and might not be an over-the-middle receiver, along the lines of Ted Ginn.
He has the ability of a No. 1 receiver, especially if a team can regularly get him the ball in space.
9. Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois. He's not a monster at 5 feet 11 inches, 210 pounds, but has impressive strength and power running inside.
He has good top-end speed, though not like that of McFadden, and reaches it quickly. He's a natural receiver coming out of the backfield, and was often asked to block incoming blitzers.
He does lack a variety of open-field moves, and while he his aforementioned speed is pretty good, he is more of a straight-line type runner when at top speed.
10. Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State. An underclassman, Clady is less polished than Long but is more of an athlete than his more highly ranked competitor.
Whereas Long excels in the running game, Clady may be more of a pass blocker, with great lateral agility, good strength, and good technique. He does finish off run blocks, but isn't quite as "nasty" and compensates with good explosion in his first step.
He's an impressive second-level blocker thanks to his athleticism, able to find a linebacker and take him out of the play. He's almost certainly a left tackle prospect given his aptitude at pass blocking.
OTHER NOTABLES & reasons left out of Top 10
11. Keith Rivers, OLB, Southern California. The top linebacker in the class may be more of a boom-or-bust type with a tendency to get fooled by fakes, nullifying his great athleticism.
12. Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida. A good corner, but maybe a better safety as he lacks great anticipation.
13. Dan Connor, ILB, Penn State. The latest from Linebacker U, Connor sometimes has too much trouble shedding blocks once a defender locks onto him.
14. Kenny Phillips, FS, Miami. Has tremendous upside, but lacks the superior instincts of a former Hurricane safety, Ed Reed.
15. Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona. He is a playmaker, but doesn't have the raw athletic talent to keep pace with the best receivers in the NFL. May compare with a Ronde Barber, who fits best in a Tampa 2 scheme.
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