Initial NFL Draft Position By Position Ratings

It is important to note that I have watched next no to film so far. This is really only from what I have seen just watching games and from talking with or reading what other people, whom I trust, have to say about certain people.

It is also important to note I originally wrote this on Wednesday afternoon before all underclassmen had declared. For the sake of the prospects, I chose to keep it in its' original form. I apologize for a lack of comments about many of the linemen, but frankly I don't know a whole lot about many of them. That being said, here goes:

QB

1. Matthew Stafford, Jr., Georgia

Reluctantly I put him here only b/c I don't think anyone is any better. I do not think he should be drafted in the top 10 though, despite a ridiculous skill set.

2. Graham Harrell, Sr., Texas Tech

Very intelligent, not a product of the system, better arm than expected, and wholly accurate, also good pocket presence.

3. Chase Daniel, Sr., Missouri

He's a winner; enough said.

4. Josh Freeman, Jr., Kansas St.

Should've come back just like Stafford, gotten an extra year of school to refine his game.

5. Rusty Smith, Sr., Fla Atlantic

Have only seen one game of his, but really liked what I saw, even though it was against just average competition. Good, live arm, and ability to throw accurately on the run.

If Mark Sanchez decides to come out, which at the time of writing this he was still undecided, he instantly becomes my No.  1. (Note: I am so glad Sam Bradford stayed at Oklahoma. That will do him a lot of good in the long run.)

RB

1. Knowshon Moreno, Jr., Georgia

Ridiculous athletically, struggling to compare to current NFL RB b/c his skill set is so diverse and he just seems to glide as he's running. Definite Top 5 pick in my opinion.

2. Chris "Beanie" Wells, Jr. Ohio State

Quick, one-cut runner would fit perfectly in a zone scheme. Right now I'm thinking the Broncos would love to have this guy.

3. LeSean McCoy, Jr., Pittsburgh

Think Reggie II, at least he looks just like him with the ball in his hands. Fairly good catching the ball; not sure about pass protection yet.

4. Shonn Green, Jr., Iowa

Doak Walker award is fourth mainly b/c he's not a great athlete, whereas the first 3 really are. He's a downhill, one-cut runner, and another guy who fits the zone scheme pretty well.

5. James Davis, Sr., Clemson

The only senior who is even possibly a first day pick (actually Javon Ringer has a chance). He is kind of small yet powerful and very productive throughout his entire career.

Note: If Percy Harvin comes out (undecided) I would list him at this position and put him No. 4, although he's really a flex back like a Bush or Brian Westbrook. Also another guy I like, just not as much as the top 5, is Gartrell Johnson from Colorado State. He's a big, physical back who runs hard and has good hands.

WR

1. Michael Crabtree, RS Sophomore, Texas Tech

Maybe a little overrated, but he is the real deal. He will only get better the more he plays the Wide Receiver position. Hopefully, he goes to a team with a good teacher of the position.

2. Hakeem Nicks, Jr., UNC

Didn't know a lot about until his bowl game, but his size and ability to make the spectacular catch turned me on to him quite a bit. Hopefully, I can see some more film to make sure he isn't just a one game flash in the pan.

3. Aaron Kelly, Sr. Clemson

Came into the year highly rated and did nothing to drop that standing. Can only help his stock by playing well in Senior Bowl (I believe he is playing there) and working out/ testing well at the combine.

4. Jarrett Dillard, Sr., Rice

One of the few I have sat down and graded out. Very fundamentally sound, not a burner, but runs very good routes and catches the football. Size and lack of overall quickness is his main downfall, but should develop into very good possession receiver.

5. Patrick Turner, Sr., Southern Cal

Not as productive as many of the others, but has great size, is a good route runner, and does a good job catching the ball. One of few Trojans who will fall under the radar, but could become one of best professional Trojan receivers, at least since Keyshawn.

Others I like (since the list of receivers is so numerous):
Jaison Williams, Sr., Oregon
Austin Collie, Jr., BYU
Mike Wallace, Sr., Ole Miss
Mike Thomas, Sr., Arizona
Kenny Britt, Jr., Rutgers
Brian Robiskie, Sr., Ohio State
Jeremy Childs, Jr., Boise State
*Pat White, QB, Sr., West Virginia

TE

1. Davon Drew, Sr., East Carolina

A clone of Antonio Gates, as far as body type. Not as athletic, but a better overall blocker.

2. Chase Coffman, Sr., Missouri

Best overall receiving TE in the draft. Very good athlete, but blocking ability and strength is in question, as is explosion.

3. Travis Beckum, Sr., Wisconsin

Missed most of his Senior season w/ an injury, but a very good athlete. Lacks ideal size for blocking but makes up for it w/ toughness.

4. Brandon Pettigrew, Sr., Oklahoma State

I know most like him the most. To me is average at best. He does not possess the kind of speed to get down the middle of the field consistently or the toughness to block consistently. Has good size, but that's probably his best attribute.

5. James Casey, Jr., Rice

Very good athlete, very versatile; ran the Wildcat.

OT:
1. Andre Smith, Jr., Alabama- Most complete of all the tackles, good run blocker and solid in Pass Pro.
2. Michael Oher, Sr. Ole Miss- Good quickness off the ball, w/ pretty good feet. Not a mauler and seems to lack competitiveness in the run game.
3. Jason Smith, Sr., Baylor- Haven't seen one play of the guy, but I hear he's the 3rd best Tackle.
4. Eugene Monroe, Sr., Virginia- Same thing, but there's a history here, so I feel good about it.
5. Phil Loadholt, Sr., Oklahoma- Might not even be best tackle on his team, but a good athlete and has the necessary size to perhaps play the right side in the league.

OG:
1. Andy Levitre, Sr., Oregon State
2. Duke Robinson, Sr., Oklahoma
3. Kraig Urbik, Sr., Wisconsin
4. Jim Tartt, Sr., Florida
5. Louis Vasquez, Sr., Texas Tech

C:
1. Alex Mack, Sr., Cal
2. Max Unger, Sr., Oregon
3. Antoine Caldwell, Sr., Alabama
4. A.Q. Shipley, Sr., Penn State
5. Eric Woods, Sr., Louisville

DT:
1. B.J. Raji, Sr., Boston College- Haven't watched, but hear he's best for sure in the draft.
2. Peria Jerry, Sr., Ole Miss- Looked real good in the Cotton Bowl. Look forward to seeing more from him in the future.
3. Fili Moala, Sr., Southern Cal- Played at USC, he must be pretty good.
4. Sen'Derrick Marks, Jr., Auburn- Very fast and athletic, got a good motor.
5. Terrill Byrd, Sr., Cincinnati- Not as highly ranked by most. Has low center of gravity and production last couple seasons has been outstanding.

DE:
1. Michael Johnson, Sr., Georgia Tech
2. Aaron Maybin, RS Sophomore, Penn State
3. Brian Orakpo, Sr., Texas- Contributor on national title team; been tearing up OL ever since.
4. Mitch King, Sr. Iowa- High Motor, great production.
5. Ricky-Jean Francois, R Jr., LSU- Good in spurts, but very inconsistent and has injury issues, otherwise maybe # 1.

OLB:
1. Aaron Curry, Sr., Wake Forest
2. Larry English, Sr., Northern Illinois
3. Clay Matthews, Sr., Southern Cal
4. Tyrone McKenzie, Sr., USF
5. Clint Sintim, Sr., UVa

ILB:
1. Rey Mauluga, Sr., Southern Cal
2. James Laurinaitis, Sr., Ohio State
3. Jasper Brinkley, Sr., South Carolina
4. Scott McKillop, Sr., Pittsburgh
5. Gerald McRath, Sr., Southern Miss

CB:
1. D.J. Moore, Jr., Vanderbilt- Great athlete, returnability a plus. Size, and lack of experience playing man coverage only potential dowfalls.
2. Malcolm Jenkins, Sr., Ohio State- Perhaps most fundamentally sound corner. Should be very solid. May not be a big interception or big play guy, but also won't get burned a lot.
3. Vontae Davis, Jr., Illinois- Mostly played zone in college, but did so well. Would be a good Tampa 2 CB.
4. Alphonso Smith, Sr., Wake Forest- Good athlete, lot like Jenkins, not flashy, but solid. Lack of height could lower stock.
5. DeAngelo Smith, Sr., Cincinnati- Underrated, makes a lot of interceptions, won't necessarily at the next level, but a very solid cover corner.

S:
1. Rashad Johnson, Sr., Alabama- Could be a nice pick up for team needing a cover safety.
2. Derek Pegues, Sr., Miss. St- Small but has good ball skills, another good option if you're looking for a cover safety.
3. William Moore, Sr., Mizzou- Seriously, don't get me started how disappointed I am in him.
4. Patrick Chung, Sr., Oregon- Played Rover at Oregon, which is essentially LB/S. Very versatile, probably more of a traditional SS.
5. Kevin Ellison, Sr., USC- Has all the skills but injury problems this year will concern teams b/c of lack of film and concerns over the injury itself.

Returner/ Special Teams:
1. Jeremy Maclin, WR, Mizzou
2. D.J. Moore, CB, Vanderbilt
3. Derrick Williams, WR, Penn State
4. Brian Hartline, WR, Ohio State
5. Captain Munnerlyn, CB, South Carolina

- If Percy Harvin is to declare, I would automatically include him on this list and probably place him 2nd.
- Pat White, although he played QB at WVA could be a guy who returns at the next level, at least in my opinion.

K
1. Louie Sakoda, Sr., Utah
2. Sam Swank, Sr., Wake Forest
3. Graham Gano, Sr. Florida State
4. Jose Martinez, Sr., UTEP
5. Pat McAfee, Sr., WVa

P
1. Kevin Huber, Sr., Cincinnati
2. Aaron Perez, Sr., UCLA
3. Tim Masthay, Sr., Kentucky

These will change frequently. Until next time, thank you, good night, stay classy, and God Bless.