NFL 2008: Player Scouting Combine and NFL Draft

With Xs & Os breakdowns from this past NCAA College football season, Mayock selected Illinois’ Rashard Mendenhall over Arkansas’ Darren McFadden as his top running back. In addition, USC’s Sedrick Ellis gets the edge over LSU’s Glenn Dorsey at defensive tackle.

Mayock on Illinois’ Rashard Mendenhall vs. Arkansas’ Darren McFadden

"Mendenhall translates better to the NFL game. He’s 225 pounds and has great feet and tremendous burst and acceleration for a player of his size. My biggest concern with McFadden is that although he also has great burst and acceleration, I don’t think he has the lower body strength that you’re looking for in a first-round NFL back."

Mayock on USC’s Sedrick Ellis vs. LSU’s Glenn Dorsey

"They are both great football players and it’s a very difficult evaluation between the two as to who is better because they are both top-10 picks. What I like about Ellis is that he played nose tackle in a 3-4 defense at USC and that will appeal to 3-4 NFL teams. In addition, he will also appeal to the 4-3 teams because he has the quickness to play the 'three technique.' Dorsey is a great football player and I give him credit for playing through injuries the past few years. However his durability is a concern."

MIKE MAYOCK’S TOP 20 PROSPECTS (as of February 12, 2008)

1. Matt Ryan - QB, Boston College

2. Sedrick Ellis – DT, USC

3. Chris Long - DE, Virginia

4. Glenn Dorsey – DT, LSU

5. Vernon Gholston – DE, Ohio State

6. Jake Long – OL, Michigan

7. Ryan Clady – OL, Boise State

8. Keith Rivers – LB, USC

9. Phillip Merling – DE, Clemson

10. Leodis McKelvin – CB, Troy

11. Brandon Flowers – CB, Virginia Tech

12. Rashard Mendenhall – RB, Illinois

13. Jeff Otah – OL, Pittsburgh

14. Derrick Harvey – DE, Florida

15. Kentwan Balmer – DT, North Carolina

16. Aqib Talib – CB, Kansas

17. Chris Williams – OL, Vanderbilt

18. Mario Manningham – WR, Michigan

19. Limas Sweed – WR, Texas

20. Branden Albert – OL, Virginia

MIKE MAYOCK’S TOP 5 RANKINGS BY POSITION (as of February 12, 2008)

Quarterback

1. Matt Ryan - Boston College

2. Chad Henne - Michigan

3. Brian Brohm - Louisville

4. Joe Flacco - Delaware

5. Andre Woodson - Kentucky

Running Back

1. Rashard Mendenhall - Illinois

2. Darren McFadden - Arkansas

3. Jonathan Stewart - Oregon

4. Felix Jones - Arkansas

5. Chris Johnson - East Carolina

Fullback

1. Jacob Hester - LSU

2. Peyton Hillis - Arkansas

3. Owen Schmitt - West Virginia

Wide Receiver

1. Mario Manningham - Michigan

2. Limas Sweed - Texas

3. DeSean Jackson - California

4. Malcolm Kelly - Oklahoma

5. Early Doucet - LSU

Tight End

1. Fred Davis - USC

2. John Carlson - Notre Dame

3. Dustin Keller - Purdue

4. Jermichael Finley - Texas

5. Brad Cottam - Tennessee

Offensive Tackle

1. Jake Long - Michigan

2. Ryan Clady - Boise State

3. Jeff Otah - Pittsburgh

4. Chris Williams - Vanderbilt

5. Gosder Cherilus - Boston College

Interior Offensive Line

1. Branden Albert - Virginia

2. Chilo Rachal - USC

3. Roy Schuening - Oregon St.

4. Mike Pollak - Arizona State

5. Mackenzy Bernadeau - Bentley College

Defensive End

1. Chris Long - Virginia

2. Vernon Gholston - Ohio State

3. Phillip Merling - Clemson

4. Derrick Harvey - Florida

5. Lawrence Jackson - USC

Defensive Tackle

1. Sedrick Ellis - USC

2. Glenn Dorsey - LSU

3. Kentwan Balmer - North Carolina

4. Trevor Laws - Notre Dame

5. Letroy Guion - Florida State

Inside Linebacker

1. Dan Connor - Penn State

2. Curtis Lofton - Oklahoma

3. Spencer Larsen - Arizona

4. Beau Bell - UNLV

5. Jo-Lonn Dunbar - Boston College

Outside Linebacker

1. Keith Rivers - USC

2. Erin Henderson - Maryland

3. Xavier Adibi - Virginia Tech

4. Tavares Gooden – Miami (FL)

5. Ali Highsmith - LSU

Cornerback

1. Leodis McKelvin - Troy

2. Brandon Flowers - Virginia Tech

3. Aqib Talib - Kansas

4. Mike Jenkins - South Florida

5. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie - Tennessee State

Safety

1. DaJuan Morgan - N.C. State

2. Kenny Phillips - Miami (FL)

3. Thomas DeCoud - California

4. D.J. Wolfe - Oklahoma

5. Tyrell Johnson - Arkansas State

Article Source: The Path to the Draft

Dean writes for iHaveNet.com. Check out iHaveNet.com for the latest NFL news and football information