The Schottey 36: Top NFL Draft Seniors (Offense Edition)

Featured: Eric Decker, Minnesota

Another class needing a little junior help, the senior class is coming on strong as three of these six have done their best to jump into the first round with tremendous showings this year. With a couple juniors slipping, the 2010 draft could become senior heavy in a hurry.

1) Brandon LaFell, Louisiana State — Sometimes speed isn't the most important asset. LaFell has 4.55 speed but is still one of the top receivers in the nation. He accelerates quickly out of crisp routes and has sure hands, often catching the ball at its highest point. Watching game tape, it is hard to find negatives.

2) Mardy Gilyard, Cincinnati— Another guy rising up draft boards, Gilyard may be doing so too early. This Bearcat wide receiver has a lot of physical talent but leaves scouts questioning if he is a system product. The plus on Gilyard is that he is very slight and has room to develop an NFL body. He must, because he lacks truly elite speed. He remains a first rounder with pristine character.

3) Eric Decker, Minnesota— Personally, my favorite receiver in the senior class, Decker possesses the same speed as the two above yet has an already filled out physique. Could easily be playing professional baseball right now. Fights through constant double coverage to still put up big numbers. He lacks a top gear but has the best hands in the draft.

4) Jeremy Williams, Tulane— A solid second rounder who now may have a shot at the first, Williams is the second coming of Kevin Curtis (which is actually more impressive than it sounds after his myriad of injuries). Williams, at 6'0, 205lbs, may only top out as a slot receiver and kick returning in the NFL but he is an elite prospect who will help a team win a bunch of games.

5) Trindon Holliday, Louisiana State— Currently listed on many scouts draft boards as a sixth rounder or later, Holliday could end up running a 4.2 flat at the NFL combine. Seriously, the NCAA track champion is that fast. Holliday could conceivably become the second athlete to win a Olympic gold medal and a Super Bowl ring.

Watch a highlight reel of Jordan Shipley. You will immediately start to wonder, why isn't this guy a first rounder? Shipley reminds a lot of people of fellow white receivers, Brandon Stokely and Wes Welker (why is it that white athletes can't remind us of similar black athletes and vice versa?). His age, as a sixth-year player, will turn many teams away.

Honorable Mentions: Jacoby Ford, Clemson; Chris McGaha, Arizona State; Blair White, Michigan State; Naaman Roosevelt, Buffalo

Featured: Jermaine Gresham, Oklahoma

This slide is where I make my money. Name two senior tight ends in the 2010 class not named Jermaine Gresham, I dare ya. As a matter of fact, looking forward, there is not a lot of collegiate talent at tight end and some scouts are claiming the death of the position.

While I don't share their doomsaying, it is clear that if a team wants a prototypical tight end, Gresham is the best bet.

1) Jermaine Gresham, Oklahoma— Gresham, as of right now, is a lame duck. His best bet would have been to take a medical redshirt after tearing through cartilage in his knee. Now, Gresham will be forced to clear multiple medical tests to make it back in the first round. If he doesn't, it will be the first time since 1999 that a tight end was not drafted in the first.

2) Ed Dickson, Oregon— When you have a solid frame and bench 400lbs, Coach Kelly wants you to block. When Dickson started getting targeted thanks to Oregon's lack of weapons, Chip Kelly found out Dickson could catch the ball. Dickson still is very raw and will almost certainly outperform his draft slot.

3) Anthony McCoy, USC— Three players named McCoy going in the first two rounds? Could happen with the USC tight end going gangbusters this year. Some scouts like McCoy even more than Gresham has McCoy is a more willing blocker and has similar speed in a more sturdy frame. Another very raw prospect.

4) Dennis Pitta, Brigham Young— When your brother-in-law is the quarterback, you tend to get a lot of looks. Pitta has made the most of them and is another in the long line of successful BYU tight ends. Pitta isn't raw, however the former walk-on lacks a high ceiling. If you want a hard worker, look no further.

5) Nathan Overbay, Eastern Washington— Some scouts believe that Overbay could fill out and play offensive tackle in the NFL. Overbay responded in 2009 with a career year. As of this article, he has almost half of his career catches this season alone. His seven catch game against California opened a lot of eyes. He looks and plays a lot like Eagles tight end Brent Celek.

6) Colin Peek, Alabama— When Georgia Tech went all "1954" on the ACC by implementing the Triple Option, Peek got out of Atlanta and joined the Crimson Tide. While he is just now starting to get more involved in the passing game, his blocking has helped Alabama to its current 7-0 record. His stock can only go up.

Honorable Mentions: Andrew Quarless, Penn State; Jaron Mastrud, Kansas State; Mike Caussin, James Madison

Featured: Charles Brown, Southern Cal

In 2009, there was no "Jake Long/Joe Thomas" type prospect. Still, three offensive tackles went in the top 10. In 2010, there might be even less talent at the top. Many of the top linemen in the nation play collegiate tackle but project to the right side or to the interior in the pros. When you get this draft class figured out, let the professional scouts know, they have no clue.

1) Russell Okung, Oklahoma State—The top senior is not even the third best tackle on many draft boards. Teams are scared that Okung will be unable to handle even the most pedestrian of NFL pass rushers. Furthermore his run blocking is suspect. On the bright side, Okung has phenomenal character and is one of the hardest workers in college football.

2) Charles Brown, Southern California— Whenever any USC athlete is drafted, many scouts put his backup on their watch list. Brown was left off many lists after Sam Baker left because the former tight end was an enigma to many. The best pure finesse blocker in the class, he would easily be the top prospect if he has spend his entire career at tackle.

3) Trent Williams, Oklahoma— Placing Williams here is selfish on my part. Although many consider Williams a great lineman, and he is continually on top of draft charts, I would much rather place him number one on my interior linemen list. The strong Sooner will end up on the interior sooner or later in his NFL career and could be among the best there. On the edge (especially the left) he will be exposed.

4) Selvish Capers, West Virginia—Capers is that "player no one is talking about" who everyone is talking about. Another former tight end, Capers still looks like a tight end, despite weighing almost 300lbs. A spread lineman, he is not asked to do much in-line blocking or bulk up. At the next level he could be a devastating force in the mold of Ryan Clady.

5) Jason Fox, Miami— How many offensive tackles get rushing touchdowns? Fox has one, on a tackle throwback play. Another former tight end (in high school), Fox got a little beer belly while gaining OT weight. Scouts would love to see Fox at the 295-300lbs range, which he will be at combine time. They workout could spring him as high as number one on a few boards.

6) Ciron Black, Louisiana State *Sigh* I can hear the LSU fans now. I can also hear the scads of the draft interested who see him atop most mocks. He's played LT for four years in the SEC but nothing about his game or athleticism says LT in the NFL. Could be a perennial Pro Bowl player on the right side. Lack of lateral movement would keep him from playing NFL guard.

Honorable Mentions: Sam Young, Notre Dame; Adam Ulatowski, Texas; Kyle Calloway, Iowa; Tony Washington, Abilene Christian; Zane Beadles, Utah

Featured: Mike Iupati, Idaho

This class of mammoths isn't top heavy like the Mack, Unger, Wood, Levitre class last year but it is extremely deep. If only one or two players on this list go on the first day, I would not be surprised. The third and fourth round could be jam packed with quality linemen though.

1) Mike Iupati, Idaho—When one is 330lbs, one is usually fat—at least a little bit. Not Mike Iupati. The giant from American Samoa doesn't have an ounce on his 6'6" frame. He may be a better edge blocker than anyone on the previous list but no one knows. He is definitely a better run blocker than anyone else in the 2010 class. Iupati is a legitimate first rounder and should be the first interior man drafted.

2) Matt Tennant, Boston College— The ability to play guard or center is treasured at the next level. Tennant is not big by linemen standards. One scouting report repeatedly uses the word "lanky." While I wouldn't go that far, it would be an understatement to say he needs to add weight. A great blocker, teams will be quick to invest a second or third rounder in his development.

3) Jon Asamoah, Illinois— One of the unfortunate processes of the draft business is that sometimes players drop thanks to their team's lack of success. Asamoah fits in that category. Everything about the big guard screams perennial Pro Bowl player. As the draft nears, teams will slide him upward.

4) John Estes, Hawaii— The mental aspect of the center position is often overlooked. Here's a hint, Jeff Saturday didn't get to the top of the NFL and earn his own action figure with his top flight athletic talent (although he's no slouch there either.? Estes is a similar player. He has lots of upside but is already a leader.

5) Mitch Petrus, Arkansas—Another "skinny" lineman, Petrus currently weighs about 315lbs. At that weight, he is a second day pick. His picture perfect technique and footwork tell another story. If he can get up to a healthy 325lbs. around the workouts he will sneak into the first day.

6) Sergio Render, Virginia Tech— On any given Saturday, Render can be the best player on the field. On that same field, Render can also be one of the most frustrating. His athleticism, especially in the run game, is undeniable. Teams will take a shot that they can help him meet his potential which is exceptionally high.

Honorable Mentions: Mike Johnson, Alabama; John Jerry, Ole Miss; JD Walton, Baylor; Ted Larson, North Carolina State

Michael Schottey is a Detroit Lions Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report and the producer and host of The Average Joe Sports Show on 860AM KNUJ (New Ulm, MN). He is also an NFL Analyst and Senior Writer for DraftTek.com.