2012 NFL Draft Big Board: Ranking the Top 253 Prospects in This Year's Class

It seems like just yesterday that we were debating about and discussing top prospects like Cam Newton, Von Miller and Patrick Peterson in the days leading up to the 2011 NFL draft. Now, here we are, a year later, getting ready to watch a whole new crop of talent make the transition into the professional football ranks.

In just a few more days, 253 former collegiate football players will have the chance to realize their dream of being selected by an NFL franchise when the annual weekend-long draft extravaganza kicks off on April 26th.

This could be the deepest and most talented draft class that we’ve seen in years, and with a record 65 underclassmen having declared, there’s certainly no shortage of star power.

The 2012 draft is sure to offer up plenty of surprises during the three days of action, and it will all start on Thursday night, as the first round promises to be one of the most unpredictable and exciting in years.

We know that quarterbacks Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III will be the first two players chosen, but after that, it’s anyone’s guess at this point.

Luck and Griffin may be the two most notable names in this year’s class, but there are plenty of other prospects who also have big NFL futures ahead of them.

Here’s an in-depth look at the top 50 prospects in this year’s class and a look at how the top 253 prospects stack up based on their overall value.

1. QB Andrew Luck, Stanford

When Andrew Luck surprisingly announced that he would return for his junior season at Stanford instead of entering the 2011 NFL draft and becoming the No. 1 overall pick, he immediately kicked off the type of media hype campaign the likes of which we have never witnessed before. 

By returning to Palo Alto, Luck became the most talked about and publicized college quarterback ever, and the pressure and expectations he had to live up to in 2011 bordered on unreal. 

While Luck failed to win either the Heisman Trophy or a BCS championship, he did have the type of dominant performance which proved that he was indeed worthy of the high praise he received all offseason long. 

Last year, the 6'4'', 234-pound junior completed 71 percent of his passes for over 3,500 yards, and he hit 37 touchdowns compared to just 10 interceptions, as he led the Cardinal to an 11-win season and an appearance in the Fiesta Bowl. 

Luck has proven that he has all the traits—accuracy, athleticism, arm strength, intelligence, intangibles, leadership ability and toughness—that you look for in a potential franchise quarterback. While his overall arm strength is somewhat questionable, Luck is still one of the most polished quarterback prospects to emerge from the college ranks in decades. 

I love everything about the former Stanford signal-caller, except for the fact that he's going to have to go to Indianapolis. 

With a first-year general manager and a first-year head coach that have no prior experience, an owner that is one of the flakiest in the league and a roster that is devoid of top-notch talent, the Colts are now one of the NFL's least desirable destinations.

It doesn't help that Luck will be asked to replace a living legend and future Hall of Famer in Peyton Manning, who Colts fans adored. 

Still, if there's anyone that's up to that type of tough challenge, it's Luck, and given how much he helped Stanford improve as a program during his college career, I surely wouldn't doubt that he's capable of finding similar success in Indianapolis over the long haul. 

Luck's going to have to endure a few rough rebuilding seasons early in his career. However, he has the type of talent to develop into a perennial Pro Bowler and the type of potential to become one of the most consistent and effective quarterbacks in the NFL. 

2. QB Robert Griffin III, Baylor

Before the start of the 2011 season, Robert Griffin III was simply known around the country as the intriguing and super athletic quarterback for perennial Big 12 cellar dweller Baylor. However, by the end of the year, Griffin had risen to remarkable heights as the biggest breakout star in the country, ending his electrifying campaign by taking home the sport's most coveted award, the Heisman Trophy.

It started with an eye-opening performance against TCU on Friday night of opening weekend in front of a national audience, a game in which Griffin torched the respected Horned Frogs defense for 359 yards and five touchdowns. That turned out to be just the beginning of what would become a magical season for the extremely explosive quarterback. 

Griffin finished the year with remarkable numbers—72 percent completion percentage, 4,293 passing yards, a 37-6 touchdown/interception ratio and a 189 passer rating. However, his stats only tell part of the story, as it was plays like his remarkable game-winning 34-yard touchdown throw against Oklahoma that truly defined his season and what he is as a player. 

I've been avidly following college football and the NFL draft since I was a sophomore in high school back in 2004, and I have to say, I've never seen a prospect quite like Robert Griffin before. 

With world-class athleticism, incredible arm strength, a flare for the dramatic and the personality and charisma to be a star, Griffin is undoubtedly one of the most captivating and intriguing players to enter the NFL in the last 25 years. 

No, he may not be as polished as the golden boy of the 2012 draft, Andrew Luck, but he has a higher ceiling and upside, and five years from now, I think we'll be calling the Redskins lucky for being able to land him with the No. 2 pick.

Griffin isn't your normal dual-threat quarterback. He's a quarterback that can run—not a running quarterback.

If you want to see a young phenom with unreal arm strength and breathtaking touch on his passes, then just go back and watch some of Griffin's high school highlights from his time at Texas' Copperas Cove High School. 

This is truly a different type of quarterback prospect that we're dealing with here, folks. 

Pay no mind to the cowardly "anonymous" scouts out there who want to put out calumnious reports about Griffin's character a week before the draft. There's a reason that everyone who's ever been around the young man has wildly sung his praises. 

Back in December, I wrote an article saying that Griffin deserved to be the No. 1 pick in the 2012 draft, and I still feel the same way today.

In the end, while he failed to overtake Luck and snatch away the top spot like he did the Heisman Trophy, RG3 did at least blow up during offseason workouts as I predicted, as he proved that he definitely belongs in the conversation with his coveted cover-boy counterpart. 

Last season, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2011 draft, Carolina QB Cam Newton, showed that there's room for an exceptionally gifted and athletic dual-threat quarterback to shine in the NFL, as he defied all of his critics and put together the greatest rookie season by a quarterback in the history of the NFL.

Following in Newton's footsteps, Robert Griffin III may be ready to show us what the quarterback position in the NFL is now evolving into.

In today's league, you want to pile up as many explosive playmakers on your team as you possibly can, and it doesn't get any better than having an explosive playmaker like RG3 at the most important position on the field. 

Soon enough, quarterbacks like Newton and Griffin may just be the norm in the NFL, not the aberration. 

3. RB Trent Richardson, Alabama

I thought it would be at least another decade before I came across a running back prospect that I thought of as highly as I thought of Adrian Peterson when he was coming out of Oklahoma back in 2007.

However, it only took five years, as I feel that Alabama's Trent Richardson is every bit as good of a prospect as Peterson was, and I wouldn't be surprised if he turns out to be an even better pro. 

Richardson possesses a rare blend of power, speed, strength, vision, balance and agility that you just don't see very often.

The bull-like back was an absolute force to be reckoned with during his one year as the main man in the Alabama backfield in 2011. 

Last year, the 5'9'', 228-pound powerhouse carried the Alabama offense during the Tide's run to a national championship, as he ran for 1,679 yards, caught 29 passes for 338 yards and scored 24 total touchdowns. 

Because of his immense size and bulk, Richardson may be thought of as more of a bruising, inside-the-tackles-type of runner, but he had plenty of big, explosive plays in 2011, as he led the SEC with 57 total plays of 10 yards or more and 22 plays of 20 yards or more. 

Yes, you could make the argument that the junior back benefited from running behind college football's best offensive line last season. However, there were plenty of instances where Richardson burst through to the second level and then proceeded to embarrass would-be tacklers in the open field to pick up yards in space. 

There's no doubt that Richardson is an elite prospect, and the type of rare running back who is worthy of Top Five pick. He's the kind of player that could come in and immediately change the complexion of an entire offense. 

Richardson is a true hammer in the running game, and there's not an NFL defender, no matter how big or tough they are, that's going to look forward to tackling him in the years to come. 

In my opinion, he's a bigger, stronger version of Jacksonville's Maurice Jones-Drew. 

Whether he ends up in Cleveland, Tampa Bay or St. Louis is almost inconsequential, as Richardson has a Pro Bowl future ahead of him, and he's going to make whichever team picks him very happy for the next decade. 

Three years from now, don't be surprised if we're talking about Trent Richardson as the best running back in the NFL. 

4. WR Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State

At the start of the 2010 season, very few college football fans outside of Stillwater, Oklahoma, knew the name Justin Blackmon, but they quickly learned it after Blackmon burst onto the scene and became one of the biggest breakout stars in the country. 

During his eye-opening 2010 campaign, Blackmon hauled in a whopping 111 passes for 1,782 yards and scored 22 total touchdowns. Following that performance, he had many wondering if he would bolt for the NFL as just a redshirt sophomore. 

The 6'1'', 207-pound receiver opted to return for his junior season, though, and his encore performance turned out to be just as impressive, as he teamed back up with QB Brandon Weeden to give the Cowboys the most explosive passing duo in the country. 

Blackmon finished his junior year with 121 catches for 1,522 yards and 18 touchdowns, which helped solidify his status as one of college football's premier playmakers and helped earn him his second-straight Biletnikoff Award. 

As with most top receiver prospects, Blackmon has faced his fair share of scrutiny and criticism in the months leading up to the draft, as some have wondered if he possesses the speed to be a truly elite receiver at the NFL level. 

While Blackmon can't be classified as a burner, he's still the type of explosive receiver that's capable of shredding NFL secondaries and making key plays in the passing game on a consistent basis. 

After watching Blackmon dominate the college game for the past two seasons, there's no doubt in my mind that he has everything it takes to be a difference-making No. 1 receiver for an NFL team, and that he has the skills to one day become one of the top-tier receivers in the league. 

5. CB Morris Claiborne, LSU

I'll admit, it always bugged me when fans and analysts would say that CB Tyrann Mathieu was the MVP of the LSU defense last season, because if you watched any Tigers games last year, you would know that the two best defenders on the team were CB Morris Claiborne and DE Sam Montgomery. 

Mathieu had the chance to make so many plays in 2011 because teams would target him and throw his way, since Claiborne would routinely shut down the other side of the field. 

The 5'11'', 188-pound junior basically shut down and defeated every receiver that stepped in front of him last year, and there was rarely a time when someone got behind him or beat him on a route.

Claiborne is a long, athletic and instinctive corner who possesses great physical ability and top-notch traits for the position. 

He's a better and more polished cornerback prospect than former LSU teammate Patrick Peterson, who was the No. 5 overall pick in the 2011 draft, and he's the same type of elite athlete. 

It's a shame that Claiborne's low Wonderlic score was released by the media, but scouts have known about his documented learning disability, and it certainly didn't prevent him from excelling on the field last season. 

Claiborne is a truly special cornerback prospect, and he's got the chance to have a similar type of NFL career as Denver's Champ Bailey.  

6. OT Matt Kalil, USC

Calling a young offensive tackle a "franchise" tackle prospect is a very bold statement, given the fact that there are so few true franchise tackles in the NFL today. 

Still, USC's Matt Kalil may be worthy of such a tag, as he's set himself apart as the clear-cut top tackle prospect in the 2012 class, and he's solidified his status as a Top 10 pick in this year's draft. 

Kalil, the younger brother of Panthers center Ryan Kalil, is one of the most athletic tackle prospects to come out of the college ranks in years. Last season, he was the leader and the lynchpin for a USC offensive line that allowed just eight sacks, which was tied for the lowest total in the entire country. 

The 6'6'', 306-pound junior is a complete tackle prospect who has the strength and tenacity to push people around in the run game, and he also has the athleticism and footwork to handle himself in pass protection. 

Kalil may be just a step below previous elite tackle prospects such as the Dolphins' Jake Long and the Browns' Joe Thomas. However, he has all the traits to grow into a trusted blindside bodyguard who is capable of holding down the left tackle position for an NFL team for the next decade. 

7. DT/DE Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State

Because Mississippi State is one of the most off-the-radar programs in the SEC, Bulldog DT Fletcher Cox didn't receive a whole lot of national praise and publicity this past season.

However, just because he wasn't heaped with accolades and honors like his former conference counterpart Nick Fairley, the No. 13 pick in the 2011 draft, doesn't mean that Cox didn't enjoy a terrific season in 2011. 

Last year, the 6'4'', 298-pound junior was a destructive machine in the defensive interior, as he piled up five sacks and 56 total tackles in 2011. 

Cox showed scouts that he possesses the athleticism and quickness to penetrate into the backfield and make plays behind the line of scrimmage, and he also displayed the type of base strength and physicality to take on double-teams and free up his fellow defenders to make plays. 

Slowly but surely, Cox has been creeping his way up draft boards in recent months, and as it stands now, it's hard to imagine that he'll get by either the Rams at No. 6, the Dolphins at No. 8 or the Panthers at No. 9 on draft night. 

With the versatility to play either tackle in a 4-3 front or end in a 3-4 scheme, Cox is the type of coveted commodity that surely won't last very long in Round 1. 

Look for the quick and powerful penetrator to make an instant impact as a rookie for whichever team is lucky enough to get its hands on him. 

8. WR Michael Floyd, Notre Dame

With the exception of Calvin Johnson, who I had the pleasure of seeing live and in-person at the 2007 Gator Bowl, Notre Dame's Michael Floyd high-points and tracks passes better than any college receiver I've personally ever seen. 

Floyd plays the game more like a power forward than a wide receiver at times, as he treats passes like must-have rebounds that he goes up and snatches out of the air.

The 6'2'', 220-pound senior could have entered the 2011 NFL draft and probably been a Top 25 pick, but he made the wise decision to return to South Bend for one more year. It's now all but a guarantee that he'll be the second receiver off the board, likely within the first 15 picks of the draft. 

Floyd has the type of size, speed, hands, body control and overall playmaking ability to develop into a star No. 1 receiver for an NFL team early in his career, and he should produce plenty of highlight-reel worthy catches once he breaks into the league. 

Last year, Floyd had to deal with inconsistent play at the quarterback position all season long, yet he still managed to catch 100 passes for over 1,100 yards and score 10 touchdowns. 

It's that type of outstanding production that will help make it easier for NFL teams to overlook some of the off-the-field red flags that plagued Floyd during his college days, including a highly publicized DUI last spring. 

All in all, though, Floyd seems to be a good young man who, like the rest of us, made some dumb mistakes during his college days. 

He now appears primed for a big-time pro career, and it wouldn't be surprising to see Floyd ultimately develop into the best receiver to come out of this year's class. 

9. CB Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina

One of the fastest rising prospects during the workout phase of the draft process has been South Carolina's Stephon Gilmore. 

After a solid three-year career with the Gamecocks, Gilmore chose to leave Columbia a year early, and his stock has been steadily soaring since his declaration for the draft. 

The 6'0'', 190-pound junior has opened eyes during workouts, running a 4.4 flat 40-yard dash, which has backed up what scouts saw from him on film. 

The talented former 5-star recruit combines superior athleticism with sound fundamentals and solid coverage instincts, and he's got the type of skill set to develop into a No. 1 corner for an NFL defense. 

Gilmore could ultimately crash the Top 10 on draft night, but no matter where he ends up getting picked, it shouldn't change the fact that whichever team ends up with him should consider itself lucky.

The former Gamecock corner should develop into a reliable and stable member of a secondary, and with his type of size, speed and tackling ability, Gilmore has the chance to come in and start as a rookie and make an instant impact in 2012. 

10. S Mark Barron, Alabama

Safety is a position that we haven’t seen many elite Top 15 caliber prospects at in recent years, but there's one potential star safety available in this year's draft, and it's Alabama's Mark Barron. For the past three years, Barron was one of the leaders of the Tide's ultra-talented defense, and he was a preeminent defensive difference maker during his time in Tuscaloosa. 

The 6'1'', 213-pound senior proved his worth against some of the best competition that college football had to offer in the SEC, as he racked up 237 tackles, 22 pass break-ups and 12 interceptions during his college career. 

Barron has the size, range, athleticism, physicality and instincts to develop into one of the NFL's most feared safeties, and he's the type of locker room leader that should prove to be invaluable to a franchise for years. 

While he still plays the game like a linebacker more than a safety at times, he's just a few coaching tips and technique refinements away from becoming a stud safety in the NFL.

Barron is a true ball hawk, and he's worthy of being a Top 15 pick in this year's draft. 

11. LB Luke Kuechly, Boston College

The phrase "that guy's just a football player" gets thrown around every year to describe a few prospects in every draft, and on the surface, yes, it's the type of meaningless, empty phrase that a vacuous-minded analyst like Mark Schlereth would use.

However, at its essence, saying a guy is just a pure football player is actually a pretty flattering compliment, as it's usually reserved for the blue collar, hard-working lunch pail types that are often the backbone of most great teams. 

One of this year's top prospects who fits the "just a football player" category is Boston College LB Luke Kuechly.  

Kuechly is the type of gritty, tough and ultra-productive defender who trades in glitz and flash for being the humble leader of a defense. 

A leadership role is something that Kuechly knows all about, as he was the true captain of the Eagles defense since he first stepped foot on campus at Boston College as a freshman. 

During his three years in Chestnut Hill, the 6'3'', 242-pound junior racked up a remarkable 532 tackles, and he displayed the types of leadership traits and intangibles that NFL teams are looking for in a middle linebacker. 

Kuechly may be "just a football player" in terms of the way he plays and the way he goes about his business, but he has the chance to be so much more to whichever NFL team scoops him up in this year's draft. 

12. DE/LB Whitney Mercilus, Illinois

Is Illinois DE Whitney Mercilus a one-year wonder?

That's a question that many are asking about the big breakout defensive star after Mercilus rose from relative obscurity in 2011 to turn in an All-American caliber campaign this past season.

The 6'3'', 261-pound junior turned out to be one of the most disruptive and productive defensive linemen in the country last year, as he led the Big Ten with 16 sacks, 22.5 tackles for loss and nine forced fumbles.

Mercilus possesses the type of explosive speed off the edge and non-stop motor to be a thorn in any quarterback's side. 

While he's obviously far from a finished product after spending just one season as a starter for the Illini, Mercilus showed enough glimpses in 2011 to have teams very interested in his services who are in need of a young pass-rusher to groom.

With the proper coaching and teaching, Mercilus could develop into a true pass-rushing terror within the next few years. 

13. DE/LB Melvin Ingram, South Carolina

Besides Baylor QB Robert Griffin III, no other prospect may have helped their stock this past season as much as South Carolina DE Melvin Ingram did. 

Ingram put together a huge senior season in 2011, racking up 10 sacks and 48 total tackles, and showed scouts that he's the type of athletic and versatile defensive lineman who can truly disrupt the flow of an offensive attack. 

The 6'1'', 264-pound former Gamecock lined up all over the field when he was at South Carolina, and he has the skill set and the physical package to end up as either a defensive end or a 3-4 rush linebacker in the NFL. 

Ingram possesses terrific quickness and athleticism for his size, which he showed with his memorable fake punt run for a touchdown against Georgia. 

He's adept at flying by blockers and penetrating into the backfield, which he did quite often as a senior. 

The versatile defender is one of the most unique prospects in this year's class, and it'll be interesting to see what type of defense Ingram ends up in and what type of role he'll ultimately play in the NFL. 

Teams like the Seahawks, Cardinals, Cowboys, Eagles and Jets could all take an interest in Ingram if he's available, and it's highly unlikely that he'll drop into the bottom half of the first round. 

14. DT Michael Brockers, LSU

LSU had the most dominant defensive line in college football last season, and one of the centerpiece players of that tenacious group was DT Michael Brockers. While Brockers was only a one-year starter during his time in Baton Rouge, he certainly made a huge impact in 2011, racking up 54 total tackles and proving to be a quality run-stuffer for the Tigers. 

The 6'5'', 322-pound redshirt sophomore is still a relatively raw and unrefined prospect at this point, but he is oozing with potential, and he has the body and the physical skills to one day develop into a dominant Pro Bowl player. 

Brockers is a rock against the run, and he has the strength and power to dominate in the NFL trenches. 

With great size, strength and agility, Brockers could fit in as either a 4-3 tackle or a 3-4 end in the pros, and if he gets the proper coaching and improves his overall technique, there's no telling just how good he could eventually be in the NFL. 

15. DE Chandler Jones, Syracuse

Syracuse's defense as a whole was atrocious last year, but there were a few bright spots, and one of them was DE Chandler Jones.

While Jones may not have racked up huge, eye-catching stats like some of his other defensive line counterparts did in this year's class, as he only notched 4.5 sacks and seven tackles for loss in 2011. Keep in mind, though, he only played in seven games due to a knee injury.

Jones, the younger brother of Ravens DE Arthur Jones and UFC fighter Jon "Bones" Jones, displayed terrific athleticism and anchor strength as the leader of the Orange defensive line last year. While he flew under the radar for most of the season due to his team's struggles, the 6'5'', 266-pound junior has finally started to receive the recognition he deserves.

Now, it wouldn't be surprising to see the athletic edge-rusher climb into the Top 15 on draft night.

Jones has the kind of natural strength, athleticism, instincts and pass-rushing prowess to make an early impact in the pros as a rookie in 2012, and he could even turn out to be next season's version of Aldon Smith. 

16. OG David DeCastro, Stanford

Rarely in this day and age will you come across an interior offensive lineman who is worthy of being a Top 20 draft pick, but then again, Stanford's David DeCastro isn't your typical offensive line prospect. 

DeCastro could have entered the 2011 NFL draft as a redshirt sophomore last year and likely been a first-round pick. Even though he had little else to prove by returning to Palo Alto along with QB Andrew Luck, the extremely talented guard still managed to cement his stock and earn high marks for his dominant junior campaign this past season. 

The 6'5'', 316-pound mauler excels at run-blocking, and he pancaked and victimized plenty of Pac-12 defensive linemen last year. 

When we look back on this year's draft five years from now, it wouldn't be surprising at all if DeCastro turns out to be one of the five best pro players to come out of this class, as he has what it takes to grow into a Pro Bowl mainstay during his NFL career. 

DeCastro is one of the best offensive guard prospects of the last 20 years, and he has the strength, toughness, intelligence and mental makeup to develop into a monster in the NFL trenches very early on in his pro career. 

17. OT/OG Cordy Glenn, Georgia

Pretty much everyone is projecting Iowa's Riley Reiff to be the second offensive tackle selected in the 2012 NFL draft, but don't be surprised if you actually hear Georgia's Cordy Glenn's name first on draft night. 

Glenn is a classic tackle-guard tweener who has the skill set to shine either inside or outside in the NFL.  

The imposing 6'6'', 345-pound senior was a four-year starter during his time in Athens, and he routinely dominated some of the country's best defensive linemen in SEC matchups throughout his career. 

Glenn has unreal athleticism for his immense size, but since he's much more of a power blocker than a finesse blocker, there's a good chance he ends up at guard in the NFL. 

It will all depend on the needs of the team that selects the big Georgia product, but whoever ultimately ends up with him should see an instant increase in rushing production next season, as Glenn has the chance to be a truly overwhelming run-blocker in the pros. 

18. LB Dont’a Hightower, Alabama

Alabama had one of the most talented and stacked linebacker corps in college football history last season, and the nucleus of that unit was inside linebacker Dont'a Hightower. 

Last year, Hightower led Alabama's top-ranked defense with 85 tackles, and he also added four sacks to his resume as well. The powerfully built 6'2'', 265-pound junior showed no lasting ill-effects of the torn ACL that cut his 2009 season short, as he flew around the field with ease and precision all year long. 

Hightower would be a terrific fit as an inside 'backer in a 3-4 system like the one he played in at Alabama, and he's the type of strong run-stopper who could really sure up the middle of a defense. 

While he may not be the fastest linebacker prospect in this year's class, and he may be a liability in pass coverage, Hightower is the type of strong, physical presence who will raise the overall level of intensity for an NFL defense, and he warrants a Top 25 selection on draft night. 

19. OT Riley Reiff, Iowa

Riley Reiff has long been projected to be a Top 15 pick and the second offensive tackle taken behind USC's Matt Kalil.

Don't be surprised, however, if Reiff takes a bit of a slide on draft night, similar to the one his former Hawkeye teammate Bryan Bulaga took in the 2010 draft when he fell down to the No. 23 pick.

Reiff has the physical makeup and the traits that NFL teams look for in a starting caliber tackle, but he seems to lack that special "it" factor that sets Kalil apart from the rest of the tackles in this year's class.

The 6'6'', 313-pound junior was a solid three-year starter during his time at Iowa, and he showed that he was capable of manning either the right or left tackle positions during his college career.

Reiff is still a bit rough around the edges, though, and he could stand to hit the weight room and work on his overall technique, as he had a tendency to get overwhelmed by stronger bull-rushers in pass protection, and he also fell off too many blocks in the run game. 

While he's not a truly special tackle prospect like Kalil, Reiff has everything you look for in a starting NFL tackle, and he's versatile enough to handle playing on either the right or the left side in the pros. 

20. WR Stephen Hill, Georgia Tech

Playing in Paul Johnson's run-heavy triple-option attack at Georgia Tech, WR Stephen Hill didn't get many chances to show off his tremendous physical ability and athleticism. However, when he actually did get the ball thrown his way, Hill certainly made the most of the opportunity to make a big play, as he finished with an insane 29.3 yards per catch average. 

Hill's 820 receiving yards on just 28 catches is hard to put into perspective, but then you watch catches like this amazing one-handed grab that he pulled in against North Carolina, and you realize what a special athlete he really is. 

The 6'4'', 215-pound junior showed off that speed and athleticism for all to see during workouts at the combine when he lit up stopwatches with a 4.36 time in the 40-yard dash and jumped through the roof with a 39.5-inch vertical leap. 

Since posting those numbers, Hill has seen his stock skyrocket over the past few months, and he now seems like he could possibly sneak into Round 1.

While Hill may still be raw and still largely unproven at this point, he's the type of athletic piece of clay that some NFL team is going to want to mold. With the proper coaching and guidance, he's got the chance to become a dynamic receiving threat in the pros.

21. DE/LB Courtney Upshaw, Alabama

Is Alabama's Courtney Upshaw a defensive end or an outside linebacker?

That's a question that many NFL teams have been asking over the last few weeks, as they try to pinpoint just exactly where Upshaw fits best in the pros. 

What we do know is that Upshaw is one of the best pure pass-rushers in the 2012 class, which he proved during his final two seasons in Tuscaloosa when he racked up a combined 15.5 sacks and 31.5 tackles for loss. 

The 6'1'', 272-pound senior was an absolute menace coming off the edge of Alabama's 3-4 front, and he made a living in opponents' backfields, causing plenty of trouble for opposing offenses. 

The problem is, Upshaw doesn't have a defined role that he can step into in the NFL, as he's still very much a tweener at this point, which is why he could slide down the board on draft night. 

In terms of overall talent, Upshaw deserves to be a Top 15 pick, as he's the type of aggressive edge-rusher who will be a handful for offensive tackles to deal with in the NFL.

It's ultimately going to come down to a team making a firm decision on what they believe Upshaw really is, a 4-3 end or a 3-4 rush linebacker. 

I believe Upshaw compares favorably to San Francisco's Ahmad Brooks, and it's likely that he'll eventually settle into a role as a quality 3-4 outside linebacker who's strong against the run and who can get to the quarterback when needed. 

22. QB Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M

Over the last few weeks, this year's third-ranked quarterback, Texas A&M's Ryan Tannehill, has become the most debated about prospect in the entire 2012 draft class. 

Because we've known for so long that the top two quarterbacks, Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III, will be taken with the first two picks, the focus has now shifted to Tannehill, who is this year's true wild card swing pick. 

With seemingly many more critics than supporters at this point, the 6'4'', 221-pound senior signal-caller has been deemed by many to be unworthy of a Top 15 selection. However, that probably won't stop a team like the Dolphins or possibly even the Chiefs or the Seahawks from taking him in the first half of Round 1. 

Personally, I'm a believer in Tannehill, and I think if he can go to a team and sit out his rookie year and soak up an NFL offense, he has the chance to eventually become a reliable starter in the pros. 

For all of you Tannehill critics out there, I suggest you look back at the 2010 season.

The Aggies struggled out of the gate, going 3-3 with Jerrod Johnson at quarterback, and coach Mike Sherman knew that he had to make a move in order to save the season and his job, so he chose to switch Tannehill from wide receiver to quarterback in midseason. 

The switch proved to be just the spark the team needed, as the Aggies proceeded to win their final six games of the regular season, including victories over Oklahoma, Nebraska and Texas. 

Now yes, it's true Texas A&M was one of the most disappointing teams in the country in 2011, going just 7-6 after starting the year off ranked in the Top 10.

However, a shoddy secondary and questionable late-game coaching had much more to do with the team's failures than Tannehill, who turned in a respectable campaign, completing 61 percent of his passes for over 3,700 yards and 29 touchdowns. 

Whether you want to believe the hype or not, it's evident that Tannehill has intriguing ability, and he's a potential starting-caliber talent. 

Only time will tell whether the tall Texan lives up to his lofty draft selection or not, but for now at least, it should be fun to see where Tannehill ends up and how he impacts the rest of the Top 15 on draft night. 

23. DE Quinton Coples, North Carolina

North Carolina DE Quinton Coples is the biggest boom-or-bust prospect in the 2012 draft. 

After a dominant junior campaign in 2010 in which he racked up 10 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss, Coples had many people talking him up as a possible Top 5 pick last offseason.

After making the switch from defensive tackle back to his more natural position of defensive end in 2011, it was expected that Coples would put together a huge senior season.

However, that was hardly the case, as he turned in a largely inconsistent effort, which left many onlookers wondering if he was playing not to get hurt and if he had the motor and the mindset to make it in the NFL. 

The 6'6'', 284-pound senior clearly has the physical traits that you look for in a potential Top 10 pick, as he possesses a rare combination of size, speed and strength. But Coples failed to step up when the spotlight shined on him last year, and you have to wonder if a team will be willing to take a risk on him within the first 15 picks of this year's draft. 

Coples didn't show the type of competitiveness and toughness that teams want to see from a premier pass-rusher, but with his type of natural physical ability, there's going to be some team that deems him worth the risk.

The former Tar Heel could develop into a consistent double-digit sacks per year type of end in the NFL, but Coples is going to need to be surrounded by the right type of veterans and coaches who continue to push him in order to make sure he reaches his full potential in the pros. 

24. DT Dontari Poe, Memphis

Memphis DT Dontari Poe is one of the biggest enigmas of the 2012 NFL draft. 

The colossal tackle has been one of the hottest names during the offseason after he tore up the combine, running a sub five-second 40-yard dash and putting up a supremely impressive 44 reps in the bench press. 

The problem is, when scouts saw Poe on tape during his sophomore and junior seasons, they didn't necessarily see the type of dominant force that you would expect given those kind of workout numbers. 

What they saw was a huge 6'3'', 346-pound defensive tackle who had no trouble eating up blockers like they were his lunch, but they also saw a tackle who rarely got to the quarterback, as Poe had just five total sacks during his three years at Memphis. 

As a likely 3-4 nose tackle, Poe will be asked to hold his ground and shut down running lanes much more than he'll be asked to get into the quarterback's face in the NFL.

However, his lack of overall production against the less-than-stellar offensive lines he faced in Conference-USA definitely will have personnel folks wondering if he really is all he's cracked up to be. 

Still, given Poe's rare freakish physical ability for his size, it's hard to see him escaping the Top 15 on draft night, as teams like the Chiefs, Cowboys and Eagles would probably all love to try to develop him into a dominant run-stuffer. 

25. CB Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama

Quarterbacks chose to shy away from testing Alabama CB Dre Kirkpatrick very often during his three years in Tuscaloosa, and that was probably the right decision given the fact that Kirkpatrick so often had a size and a speed advantage over most of the receivers he squared off with. 

The tall, lengthy  6'2'', 186-pound junior is physically similar to some of the bigger NFL corners such as Chicago's Charles Tillman and Miami's Sean Smith. Kirkpatrick possesses terrific athleticism for his size, and he's got the type of instincts, toughness, confidence and swagger to compete with any NFL receiver he'll be asked to go up against. 

Although he leaves something to be desired in one-on-one man coverage, Kirkpatrick is the type of big, rangy corner who would fit in perfectly in a press zone scheme in the NFL.

Kirkpatrick may never be a true shutdown No. 1 corner for an NFL defense, but he has the evident skills to develop into a reliable starter for years to come.

If he ends up in the right defensive system and in the right type of locker room with strong veteran leadership, Kirkpatrick has the chance to be a valuable asset to a defensive backfield in the pros. 

26. TE Coby Fleener, Stanford

With the recent success of prominent NFL tight ends such as New England's Rob Gronkowski and New Orleans' Jimmy Graham, athletic tight ends who can make make plays in the passing game are now a hot commodity. 

This year's top tight end prospect, Stanford's Coby Fleener, fits that mold, as he showed this past season when he caught 34 passes for 667 yards and 10 touchdowns. 

The 6'6'', 247-pound senior has the size and the athleticism to create mismatches in coverage, and he proved to be a valuable red-zone weapon for the Cardinal in 2011. 

After positing a sub-4.5 40-yard dash time at the Stanford Pro Day, Fleener has now climbed high enough up the board to be considered by teams such as the Broncos, the Texans and the Giants in the late first round. 

Fleener may not be much of a blocker, but a team in need of a tight end that can get can down the seam and make plays near the goal line will definitely like what he has to offer. 

27. DE/LB Shea McClellin, Boise State

Boise State's Shea McClellin has been steadily working his way up draft boards in recent weeks.

Now it looks like the defensive end-outside linebacker tweener is primed to crash the first-round party on draft night. 

McClellin seems like he could be this year's version of Brooks Reed, another former college defensive end who made the switch to outside linebacker in the pros and enjoyed a standout rookie campaign with the Texans this past season. 

The 6'3'', 260-pound senior shares many similar traits to Reed, as he's the type of non-stop hustle player who plays with a mean streak and knows how to consistently find his way into the backfield.

The three-year starter racked up 20.5 sacks, 33 tackles for loss and five forced fumbles during his career at Boise State. 

McClellin has the type of skill set to handle a switch to 3-4 rush linebacker in the NFL, and with his type of attitude and physical gifts, it wouldn't be surprising if he turns into the next Clay Matthews. 

28. RB Doug Martin, Boise State

The first time I got a real feel for just how special of a running back Boise State's Doug Martin actually is was when I watched Martin take a screen pass 79 yards for a tie-breaking score late in the fourth quarter against Nevada back in 2010, a game the Broncos ended up memorably losing in heart-breaking fashion. 

After that play, I knew that Martin was a back that I had to keep my eye on this past season, and he certainly didn't disappoint onlookers like myself, as he ran for over 1,200 yards for the second-straight season and scored 18 total touchdowns. 

The 5'9'', 223-pound senior may be a little on the short side, but he's built exactly how you would draw up a prototypical NFL back, and he's cut from the same mold as the new wave of "bowling ball" backs like Baltimore's Ray Rice. 

Martin has the power and the strength to pound the ball inside the tackles, and he has the speed and vision to find open lanes and explode into the open field once he hits the second level. 

He also proved that he can be a valuable weapon in the passing game, as he hauled in 28 passes in each of his final two seasons at Boise State. 

While Martin isn't the same type of elite prospect as the No. 1 running back prospect in this year's class, Alabama's Trent Richardson, he may actually be a better value pick as a late first-round or early second-round selection.

29. OG Kevin Zeitler, Wisconsin

Wisconsin center Peter Konz has been the one who's been soaking up a lot of the pre-draft buzz surrounding interior offensive linemen for the past few months, but don't be surprised if it's Konz's former Badger teammate, OG Kevin Zeitler, who ends up hearing his name called first in this year's draft.

Zeitler has everything you look for in a standout guard prospect, and while he may be just a notch below the draft's premier prospect at the position, Stanford's David DeCastro, he's still the type of rare interior lineman who is worthy of a first-round selection.

The 6'4'', 314-pound senior is a powerful, strong and fundamentally sound technician who takes pride in beating up whoever lines up in front of him.

Zeitler is an experienced three-year starter who could walk into an NFL huddle right now and handle himself just fine.

While it's rare to see more than one guard go in the first-round of the draft, don't be surprised if David DeCastro isn't the only guard selected on the first night of the draft, as Zeitler is the type of building-block lineman that more than a few teams are probably coveting.

30. WR Kendall Wright, Baylor

Heisman-winnning quarterback Robert Griffin III received most of the credit for Baylor's breakout 10-win season last year, but Griffin wasn't the only reason that the Bears had so much success in 2011. 

RG3 couldn't have done it without his go-to receiver Kendall Wright, who hauled in 108 passes for 1,663 yards and scored 14 touchdowns last year. 

Griffin and Wright made numerous secondaries look foolish in 2011, as they consistently hooked up on deep go-routes and big passing plays. 

The 5'10'', 196-pound senior proved that he has the deep speed to routinely get behind secondaries and stretch defenses. Even though he put up a disappointing 4.61 40-yard dash time at the combine, all scouts have to do is watch what Wright did on the field last season to realize that he's a special type of playmaker. 

The explosive former high school track star will have to adapt to a more pro-style attack in the NFL, but with his type of burst and acceleration, Wright's got what it takes to be a dangerous slot receiver in the NFL. 

Wright is worthy of being a Top 20 pick. However, he could get pushed down the board a bit on draft night, since receiver is one of the deepest positions in this year's draft, and teams know they can find quality players in the middle rounds. 

31. DT/DE Kendall Reyes, Connecticut

Connecticut had the third-ranked run defense in college football in 2011, and a big reason for that success was the play of DT Kendall Reyes in the interior.  

Last year, Reyes showed scouts that he's capable of causing plenty of havoc, as he racked up 4.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss and proved to be a handful for offensive linemen to handle. 

The 6'4'', 299-pound senior has all of the physical and personality traits that NFL teams covet in a college prospect, and after the type of campaign he had as a senior, it wouldn't be shocking to see him sneak into the first round on draft night. 

Reyes is a two-time team captain who is one of the smartest and most mature prospects in this year's class, and he's versatile enough to handle a variety of different roles in the NFL, including lining up as either a 3-technique tackle in a 4-3 scheme or a 5-technique end in 3-4 front. 

With continued growth and progression, Reyes could ultimately end up developing into one of the best defensive linemen to emerge from this year's deep class. 

32. DE/LB Nick Perry, USC

USC DE Nick Perry certainly passes the eyeball test. 

Perry is a well-built, beastly looking physical specimen who certainly looks like he's seen the inside of a weight room on more than a few occasions in his lifetime. 

The 6'3'', 271-pound junior is one of the most athletic and naturally gifted defensive linemen in this year's draft, and he's got the type of versatile skill set to handle manning either the end position in a 4-3 scheme or an outside linebacker spot in a 3-4 system. 

Perry left USC on a high note after a strong junior campaign, in which he led the Trojans with 9.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss in 2011.

While he's still a raw pass-rusher who gets by more on his overwhelming speed than his instincts or pass-rushing moves, there's no denying that Perry possesses the type of physical package that has to excite NFL teams. 

The former Trojan pass-rusher isn't the type of player who's going to come in and dominate as a rookie, but he's got the chance to develop into a devastating impact defender over the next few years.

33. WR Rueben Randle, LSU

Rueben Randle arrived at LSU as a decorated 5-star high school recruit. However, during the first two years of his career in Baton Rouge, he failed to make the type of impact and big splash that Tigers fans were expecting from him, as he combined to catch just 44 passes and five touchdowns. 

Randle finally broke out in a big way in 2011, though, as he emerged as one of the top receivers in the SEC, catching 53 passes for 917 yards and eight touchdowns. 

The 6'3'', 210-pound junior put his immense talent to good use, and he showed NFL scouts that he has the ability to be a dangerous No. 1 receiver at the pro level. 

Randle has the type of imposing frame, intriguing athleticism and reliable hands to be a valuable weapon in the passing game, and if he continues to refine his route-running and his overall technique, he's got as bright of a future as any other receiver in this year's class. 

While it's going to take the unfinished product some time to learn all the nuances of an NFL offense, Randle has the type of talent and potential that should pay off in a big way for whichever team ends up taking him in this year's draft. 

34. CB Trumaine Johnson, Montana

Janoris Jenkins is this year's most talked about small-school cornerback prospect, but Jenkins isn't the only non-FBS corner who has the chance to be a starter in the NFL.

Montana's Trumaine Johnson has also piqued the interest of pro scouts.

Johnson is the type of big, athletic and instinctive cover man who has the type of physical package to match up with any type of receiver that he'll face in the NFL. 

The 6'2'', 204-pound senior has the size of a safety and the overall coverage skills of a corner. 

It remains to be seen how Johnson will handle the big step up in competition from the Big Sky Conference to the NFL. However, he's the type of talented and competitive corner who has the potential to develop into a consistent starter early in his career, and he could end up becoming an even bigger impact playmaker than Jenkins, his more highly touted counterpart. 

35. DE/LB Bruce Irvin, West Virginia

I'm certainly going to miss the "Brruuuucccee!" chants at West Virginia games after Bruce Irvin raced around a tackle and demolished a poor quarterback.

Irvin, a former standout JUCO recruit, quickly became the Mountaineers' biggest impact player when he arrived in Morgantown back in 2010, and he enjoyed an outstanding career, racking up 22.5 sacks and 29 tackles for loss during his two years with the team.

As a senior, the 6'3'', 245-pound edge-rusher proved that he was more than just a pass-rushing specialist, as he developed into a complete defensive end and showed scouts that he could handle playing the run.

Irvin is one of the most athletic and explosive end prospects to come along in years, and while he may be undersized, he makes up for it with his tremendous speed off the edge and his radar for quarterbacks.

Irvin could fit in as either a 4-3 end or a 3-4 rush linebacker in the NFL, but no matter where he ends up lining up, he should give plenty of offensive tackles headaches for years to come.

36. LB Lavonte David, Nebraska

In my opinion, there wasn't a better defender in the Big Ten last year than Nebraska LB Lavonte David. Yes, it's true, the Cornhuskers defense as a whole didn't come close to living up to expectations in 2011, but that can hardly be blamed on David, who played his heart out on every snap and turned in an MVP-type of performance for the second season in a row. 

During his two years in Lincoln, the 6'0'', 233-pound former JUCO recruit was an absolute tackling machine, accumulating a combined 285 tackles and 11.5 sacks. 

David has all of the traits you look for in a playmaking 4-3 weak-side linebacker, as he possesses the lateral speed, instincts, recognition skills and lockdown tackling ability to make plays from sideline to sideline. 

Sure, he may be a bit undersized, but David plays bigger than he measures, and with the way he finds and flows to the football, his lack of height shouldn't be a problem at all in the NFL. 

Teams employing a 4-3 defense that are looking for a young, polished weak-side 'backer who's capable of stepping into the starting lineup as a rookie will surely take an interest in David in Round 2 of this year's draft .

37. DT Jerel Worthy, Michigan State

"Inconsistent" is a good word to sum up monstrous Michigan State DT Jerel Worthy's collegiate career. 

In terms of pure physical ability and future potential, Worthy is one of the most talented defensive prospects available in the 2012 draft. However, his uneven play during his three years on the field in East Lansing has left some scouts wondering just what he's really made of. 

Last year, Worthy was consistently outplayed by teammate DE William Gholston, who in all fairness will be one of the top prospects available for the 2013 draft, and he failed to make the type of impact that many were expecting from him. 

While the 6'2'', 308-pound junior may not have been a true disruptive and dominant force in the middle of the Spartans defense, he did still rack up 3.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss in 2011. 

Worthy is the type of gifted, yet raw defensive tackle prospect that could turn into a steal for some team if he falls into the second round, but given his erratic performances during his time at Michigan State, he's most definitely a risk. 

With his type of potential, Worthy won't fall far if he makes it out of Round 1, but he's the type of prospect who's going to require patience and proper coaching and guidance if the team that selects him wants to get the full return on its investment. 

38. C Peter Konz, Wisconsin

Wisconsin's offensive line was one of the biggest and nastiest groups in college football last season, and the undisputed leader of the unit was center Peter Konz. 

Konz helped pave the way for RB Montee Ball to rush for over 1,900 yards and 33 touchdowns in 2011, and he made sure that mobile quarterback Russell Wilson stayed safe when he was in the pocket. 

The 6'5'', 314-pound junior certainly isn't the most physically gifted offensive line prospect in this year's draft, but he's proven that he's the type of reliable and consistent leader that can take control of a huddle and keep a line in sync. 

Konz has the size, strength, intelligence and toughness to be a first-round pick, but concerns about his durability will likely push him into Day 2 of the draft. If he can manage to stay healthy in the pros, though, Konz should develop into a steady stalwart offensive lineman for whichever NFL team ends up with him. 

39. OG Amini Silatolu, Midwestern State

If a team is in need of a big, strong and nasty offensive guard who specializes in knocking defenders around in the run game, it won't be able to do much better than Midwestern State's Amini Silatolu. 

The former collegiate offensive tackle didn't get to prove himself against the best competition, playing against Division II opponents, but he still showed enough flashes of dominance to have NFL teams mighty interested in what he has to offer. 

The 6'3'', 311-pound All-American has been creeping up draft boards during the postseason, and it wouldn't be shocking to see him sneak into the late-first round on draft night. 

Silatolu will have to adjust to playing against NFL caliber competition, but given the way he plays the game, he certainly seems up for the challenge.

While he's going to need to work on the flaws in his technique and adapt to the speed of the pro game, Silatolu has the type of size, strength and tenacity to develop into a vicious run-blocking guard in the NFL. 

40. S Harrison Smith, Notre Dame

There's a substantial drop-off between this year's No. 1 safety prospect, Alabama's Mark Barron, and the No. 2 prospect at the position, Notre Dame's Harrison Smith. However, that doesn't mean that Smith doesn't have what it takes to develop into a successful starter in the NFL. 

Smith was a starter in South Bend since his redshirt freshman season in 2008, and during those four years, he was one of the most reliable and important defenders for the Irish. 

The 6'2'', 213-pound senior racked up over 300 tackles during his career at Notre Dame, and he displayed the type of traits that you look for in the leader of a defensive backfield. 

Smith is a strong, athletic, tough and intelligent defensive playmaker who is versatile enough to play either strong safety or free safety in the NFL. 

While he may not be a true slam-dunk first-round talent, if Smith falls to Day 2, he won't have much to worry about, because he certainly won't last long in Round 2. 

Smith has the talent, experience and the mindset to come in and start for an NFL secondary as a rookie, and he should develop into a reliable leader in the back end of a defense early in his career. 

41. OT Jonathan Martin, Stanford

Stanford OT Jonathan Martin was given the monumental task of protecting college football's most prized possession, QB Andrew Luck, and it's a job he excelled at for the past three years. Martin was a big reason why the Cardinal only gave up 25 total sacks over the last three seasons. 

The 6'5'', 312-pound junior used his agility, quick feet and natural athleticism to his benefit to help mirror and shut down pretty much every pass-rusher that tried to test him. 

Martin can hold his own as both a pass-blocker and a run-blocker, but he's going to have to get stronger and improve his technique in order to go toe-to-toe with the defensive ends that he'll face on a weekly basis in the NFL. 

USC DE Nick Perry exposed a lot of Martin's weaknesses when he took him to school during the USC-Stanford game this past season, and that performance showed that Martin still has some considerable work to do if he ever wants to reach his full potential. 

Still, from a physical ability standpoint, Martin's got everything it takes to man the blindside of an offensive line for years, and with a little bit of patience and proper coaching, he should have no trouble maturing into a quality starting left tackle in the NFL. 

42. QB Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State

There's only one quarterback in the 2012 NFL draft that can say that he beat both of this year's top quarterback prospects, Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III, last season, and that's Oklahoma State's Brandon Weeden. 

Weeden was one of the most prolific passers in college football during his two years as a starter in Stillwater, as he combined to throw for over 9,000 yards and 71 touchdowns in the Cowboys' high-octane passing attack over the past two seasons. 

The 6'3'', 221-pound senior has all the skills that you look for in a prototypical pro-style pocket passer, but the problem is, the former minor league baseball player is already 28 years old, and his age has been one of the big knocks on him. 

While many have downgraded Weeden for being older than most college quarterback prospects, remember, John Beck was 25 years old at the time of the 2007 NFL draft, and he still went No. 40 overall that year. 

You have to respect that Weeden overcame his failures on the baseball diamond, put the helmet and shoulder pads back on and proceeded to work his way to prominence in one of the toughest conferences in college football. 

Yes, his passing numbers are inflated from the pass-happy offensive system he played in at Oklahoma State, but you can't argue with his 23-3 record as a starter. 

I wouldn't be shocked if a team like the Browns or the Texans took a chance on Weeden late in the first round, but I think his better overall value is as an early-to-mid second-round pick. 

When all is said and done, I think the talented and experienced signal-caller has what it takes to develop into a solid starting quarterback in the NFL, and a franchise should undoubtedly be able to get five or six quality years out of him. 

43. WR Chris Givens, Wake Forest

One of the most intriguing non-first-round receivers in this year's draft is Wake Forest's Chris Givens.

This past season, Givens exploded onto the scene, catching 83 passes for 1,330 yards and nine touchdowns, which was a performance that really helped him gain some serious buzz around the scouting community. 

One of the key stats that I like to look at when evaluating skill-position players is how many explosive plays they produce, as I feel that really helps measure just what type of offensive game-changer they really are. 

Last year, Givens finished second in the ACC behind Virginia Tech RB David Wilson with 55 plays of 10 or more yards, and he also had 22 plays of 20 or more yards and 13 plays of 30 or more yards. 

That just goes to show how explosive of a receiver the 5'11'', 198-pound junior really is. 

Givens backed up his on-field exploits with a stellar showing during postseason workouts, clocking in an official time of 4.41 in the 40-yard dash.

Givens has the type of speed, burst and overall explosion to be a difference-maker in the passing game in the NFL, and after the junior campaign he had in 2011, he seems to have proven that he's worthy of being a second-round pick in this year's draft.  

44. RB Lamar Miller, Miami

Miami has produced plenty of notable running back prospects in the past decade such as Frank Gore, Willis McGahee and Clinton Portis, and now the latest big-name rusher to come out of Coral Gables is Lamar Miller. 

Miller is your typical Miami back, and he shares similar physical characteristics to guys like Gore and Portis. He's the type of well-built, strong and athletic runner who's capable of running both inside and outside. 

The 5'10'', 212-pound redshirt sophomore caught everyone's attention with his 1,200-plus yard rushing campaign in 2011, and he built on that momentum during offseason workouts, blazing a 4.4-flat 40-yard dash time at the NFL combine. 

Miller may not be as polished or as pro-ready as some of the other highly regarded backs in this year's draft such as Trent Richardson, Doug Martin and David Wilson, but he has the potential to mature into a feature back if he's given the right amount of time to grow in the NFL. 

With great running instincts, terrific vision and superior explosiveness, Miller has what it takes to one day be an upper-echelon back in the pros, but he needs to be eased into things and given the proper time to develop first.

45. CB Janoris Jenkins, North Alabama

Former Florida CB Janoris Jenkins is one of the most physically gifted prospects in the 2012 draft class, but the problem is, for all of the natural talent that Jenkins has to offer, he has just as much off-the-field baggage to worry about.

During his three years at Florida, the 5’10’’, 193-pound senior showed plenty of flashes of greatness, as he displayed the type of coverage ability, athleticism and competitiveness that NFL scouts look for in a top-flight defensive back prospect

It’s the numerous arrests during his time in Gainesville for fights and drugs, which ultimately cost him his spot with the Gators, though, and it’s those transgressions that have NFL teams wondering if Jenkins is really worth the risk.

It wouldn’t be surprising to see the potential Top 15 talent slip completely out of the first round because of his maturity issues. 

Jenkins has the type of raw talent to be a No. 1 corner for an NFL defense, but we'll have to wait and see if he can keep his focus on the field and play up to his potential in the pros. 

If Jenkins changes his ways, puts the past in the rear-view mirror and keeps his head on straight, whichever team ends up with him is going to get one of the biggest steals in the 2012 draft. However, there are a lot of "ifs" surrounding his NFL future, and only time will tell if he's really matured or not. 

46. RB David Wilson, Virginia Tech

After sitting behind running backs like Darren Evans and Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech's David Wilson finally got his opportunity to start in 2011, and he certainly made the most of it. Last season, Wilson led the ACC with 1,709 rushing yards, and he also led the conference with 56 plays of 10 yards or more. 

The 5'10'', 206-pound junior used his lighting-fast speed to his advantage, as he reeled off an average of 5.9 yards per carry. Wilson has proven that he's one of the fastest and most explosive backs available in this year's draft, and he would present a great value as a second-round pick. 

While it's going to take the former Hokie some time to figure out how to properly read blocks and find cut-back lanes in the NFL, he should add an immediate spark to an offense as both a runner and a receiver. 

Wilson has the chance to be a dynamic offensive weapon in the pros once it all finally clicks for him. 

47. DE/LB Andre Branch, Clemson

Over the past few years, Clemson has produced plenty of notable defensive end prospects such as Da'Quan Bowers, Gaines Adams, Phillip Merling and Ricky Sapp. While the Tigers pass-rushing products have been hit-or-miss in the NFL, that shouldn't stop teams from taking a long look at Clemson's latest big-name end, Andre Branch. 

After an average junior campaign in 2010, Branch entered his senior season with something to prove, and it seemed as if it finally all came together in 2011, as he racked up 10.5 sacks and 17 tackles for loss. 

The 6'4'', 259-pound pass-rusher proved to be a consistent factor coming off the edge, and he finally showed scouts that he can be a dependable presence on the outside of an NFL defensive line. 

Branch has the type of skill set to fit in as either an end in a 4-3 front, or even make the move to a stand-up outside rush linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. 

It should be interesting to see who ends up taking the versatile pass-rusher and how he fits into that team's defense. 

One thing's for sure, whether he ends up in a 4-3 or a 3-4 defense, Branch has what it takes to develop into a steady and persistent pass-rusher in the NFL.

48. WR Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina

Alshon Jeffery put himself on the college football map with a spectacular sophomore season in 2010, in which he led the SEC with 88 catches for 1,517 yards and scored nine touchdowns. 

The problem is, Jeffery failed to capitalize on his 2010 campaign and the hype that initially followed it, and he turned in an average season as a junior in 2011, catching just 49 passes. 

Some will say that inconsistent quarterback play was to blame for Jeffery's poor production, which seems like a fabricated excuse to me, as Michael Floyd faced the same problem and still manged to catch 100 balls in 2011. 

The 6'3'', 216-pound junior battled negative press throughout the winter as many questioned his conditioning and true timed speed. However, Jeffery put those concerns to rest when he ran in the 4.5's in the 40-yard dash at his pro day and weighed in well under what was being speculated. 

Still, the concerns about Jeffery's playing speed are legitimate, as he seems to lack the initial burst off the line and top-end gear that you look for in a true No. 1 NFL receiver. 

With his size, leaping ability and hands, Jeffery could develop into a consistently dangerous red-zone weapon in the pros, but you have to wonder just exactly what he's going to give you outside the 20-yard line. 

The once surefire Top 15 pick has seen his stock slip over the past year, and it will be interesting to see how far he falls if teams choose to skip over him in Round 1 as expected. 

49. RB LaMichael James, Oregon

For the past three seasons, LaMichael James was one of the most celebrated offensive stars in college football. As soon as he first stepped in for a suspended LeGarrette Blount early in the 2009 season, James proved that he was the type of explosive weapon that fit in perfectly in Oregon's spread offensive attack. 

During his time in Eugene, the 5'8'', 194-pound junior ran for over 5,000 yards and scored 57 total touchdowns, and he finished with an average of 6.6 yards per carry for his career. 

No one will dispute the fact that James is just too small to be an every down back in the pros, but given the kind of speed, elusiveness and overall home-run ability that he has to offer, he's certainly going to find a specialized role in an NFL offense. 

James is the type of dangerous offensive threat that needs to be accounted for on every snap, and he could turn out to be a smaller version of Reggie Bush in the NFL. 

50. DE/LB Vinny Curry, Marshall

Marshall isn't a school that has a reputation for being an NFL prospect factory, as the Herd have only had eight players drafted in the last 10 years. However, the program does have a top-flight future pro that it can hang its hat on this year in DE Vinny Curry. 

After breaking into the starting lineup as a sophomore back in 2009, Curry continued to improve and develop into one of the country's elite pass-rushers, and his career culminated with a spectacular senior season in 2011. 

Last year, the 6'3'', 266-pound edge-rusher tallied 11 sacks, 22 tackles for loss and 74 total tackles, as he solidified his status as one of the top defensive ends in all of college football. 

Curry has a non-stop motor and an impressive radar for finding the football.

While he may not possess the same kind of rare physical package that his more coveted counterpart Quinton Coples does, he has the type of attitude and makeup that you want to see in a young college player.  

Curry already has an array of pass-rushing moves in his arsenal, and he should be able to go to battle with NFL offensive tackles right away as a rookie in 2012. 

It remains to be seen whether teams value Curry as more of a 3-4 rush linebacker or a 4-3 base end, but it doesn't matter if he has to put his hand in the ground or stand up, the talented pass-rusher will surely make a big impact for whichever team selects him. 

While he may be valued as more of a consensus Round 2 pick by most, I wouldn't be shocked to see Curry sneak into Round 1 if there ends up being a big run on pass-rushers on draft night. 

First Round Value Rankings

1. QB Andrew Luck, Stanford

2. QB Robert Griffin III, Baylor

3. RB Trent Richardson, Alabama

4. WR Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State

5. CB Morris Claiborne, LSU

6. OT Matt Kalil, USC

7. DT/DE Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State

8. WR Michael Floyd, Notre Dame

9. CB Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina

10. S Mark Barron, Alabama

11. LB Luke Kuechly, Boston College

12. DE/LB Whitney Mercilus, Illinois

13. DE/LB Melvin Ingram, South Carolina

14. DT/DE Michael Brockers, LSU

15. DE Chandler Jones, Syracuse

16. OG David DeCastro, Stanford

17. OT/OG Cordy Glenn, Georgia

18. LB Dont’a Hightower, Alabama

19. OT Riley Reiff, Iowa

20. WR Stephen Hill, Georgia Tech 

21. DE/LB Courtney Upshaw, Alabama

22. QB Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M

23. DE Quinton Coples, North Carolina

24. DT Dontari Poe, Memphis

25. CB Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama

26. TE Coby Fleener, Stanford

27. DE/LB Shea McClellin, Boise State

28. RB Doug Martin, Boise State

29. OG Kevin Zeitler, Wisconsin

30. WR Kendall Wright, Baylor

31. DT/DE Kendall Reyes, Connecticut

32. DE/LB Nick Perry, USC

Second Round Value Rankings

33. WR Rueben Randle, LSU

34. CB Trumaine Johnson, Montana

35. DE Vinny Curry, Marshall

36. LB Lavonte David, Nebraska

37. DT Jerel Worthy, Michigan State

38. C Peter Konz, Wisconsin

39. OG Amini Silatolu, Midwestern State

40. S Harrison Smith, Notre Dame

41. OT Jonathan Martin, Stanford

42. QB Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State

43. WR Chris Givens, Wake Forest

44. RB Lamar Miller, Miami

45. CB Janoris Jenkins, North Alabama

46. RB David Wilson, Virginia Tech

47. DE/LB Andre Branch, Clemson

48. WR Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina

49. RB LaMichael James, Oregon

50. DE/LB Bruce Irvin, West Virginia

51. QB Brock Osweiler, Arizona State

52. CB Brandon Boykin, Georgia

53. DT Devon Still, Penn State

54. OT/OG Kelechi Osemele, Iowa State

55. TE Orson Charles, Georgia 

56. CB Casey Hayward, Vanderbilt

57. CB Josh Robinson, Central Florida

58. OT Bobby Massie, Ole Miss

59. DT/DE Derek Wolfe, Cincinnati

60. OT Mike Adams, Ohio State

61. WR Brian Quick, Appalachian State

62. DT/DE Jared Crick, Nebraska

63. TE Dwayne Allen, Clemson

Third Round Value Rankings

64. DT Brandon Thompson, Clemson

65. LB Zach Brown, North Carolina

66. RB Chris Polk, Washington

67. DT Alameda Ta’amu, Washington 

68. LB Terrell Manning, North Carolina State

69. LB Mychal Kendricks, California

70. RB Isaiah Pead, Cincinnati 

71. OT Jeff Allen, Illinois

72. CB Josh Norman, Coastal Carolina

73. S Brandon Taylor, LSU

74. QB Kirk Cousins, Michigan State

75. OG Brandon Brooks, Miami of Ohio

76. CB Dwight Bentley, Louisiana-Lafayette

77. WR Mohamed Sanu, Rutgers

78. OT/OG James Brown, Troy

79. OT Mitchell Schwartz, California

80. DE/LB Ronnell Lewis, Oklahoma

81. RB Ronnie Hillman, San Diego State

82. CB Jamell Fleming, Oklahoma

83. RB Bernard Pierce, Temple

84. WR A.J. Jenkins, Illinois

85. LB James-Michael Johnson, Nevada

86. WR Jarius Wright, Arkansas

87. S George Iloka, Boise State

88. OT Zebrie Sanders, Florida State

89. DE Cam Johnson, Virginia

90. DT Billy Winn, Boise State

91. C Ben Jones, Georgia

92. DT Mike Martin, Michigan

93. C Philip Blake, Baylor

94. WR Marvin Jones, California 

95. DT Josh Chapman, Alabama

Fourth Round Value Rankings

96. LB Keenan Robinson, Texas

97. OG Brandon Washington, Miami

98. QB Ryan Lindley, San Diego State

99. CB Leonard Johnson, Iowa State

100. LB Sean Spence, Miami

101. S Antonio Allen, South Carolina

102. C David Molk, Michigan

103. OT Nate Potter, Boise State

104. RB Robert Turbin, Utah State

105. CB/S DeQuan Menzie, Alabama

106. DE Jonathan Massaquoi, Troy

107. WR Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma 

108. TE Michael Egnew, Missouri

109. LB Bobby Wagner, Utah State

110. CB Omar Bolden, Arizona State

111. WR Nick Toon, Wisconsin

112. CB Jayron Hosley, Virginia Tech

113. QB Nick Foles, Arizona

114. DT DaJohn Harris, USC

115. WR Joe Adams, Arkansas

116. RB Cyrus Gray, Texas A&M

117. S Markelle Martin, Oklahoma State

118. OT Brandon Mosley, Auburn

119. DE Trevor Guyton, California

120. WR Marvin McNutt, Iowa

121. LB Audie Cole, North Carolina State

122. S Janzen Jackson, McNeese State

123. WR TY Hilton, Florida International

124. OG Joe Looney, Wake Forest

125. CB Alfonzo Dennard, Nebraska

126. LB Nigel Bradham, Florida State

127. S Brandon Hardin, Oregon State

128. DE Tyrone Crawford, Boise State

129. DT/DE Akiem Hicks, Regina

130. C Quinton Saulsberry, Mississippi State

131. WR Jeff Fuller, Texas A&M 

132. CB Ron Brooks, LSU

133. RB Terrance Ganaway, Baylor

134. OT/OG Tony Bergstrom, Utah

135. LB Tank Carder, TCU

Fifth Round Value Rankings

136. RB Edwin Baker, Michigan State

137. CB Ryan Steed, Furman

138. WR Tommy Streeter, Miami

139. DT/DE Malik Jackson, Tennessee

140. TE Ladarius Green, Louisiana-Lafayette

141. DT Hebron Fangupo, BYU

142. WR Rishard Matthews, Nevada

143. OT Tom Compton, South Dakota

144. LB Travis Lewis, Oklahoma

145. OG Senio Kelemete, Washington

146. DE Jake Bequette, Arkansas

147. LB Demario Davis, Arkansas State

148. DE Taylor Thompson, SMU

149. S Phillip Thomas, Syracuse

150. C Mike Brewster, Ohio State

151. QB Russell Wilson, Wisconsin

152. CB Shaun Prater, Iowa

153. RB Vick Ballard, Mississippi State

154. WR Devon Wylie, Fresno State

155. OT Matt McCants, UAB

156. DE Olivier Vernon, Miami

157. OT Andrew Datko, Florida State

158. OG Adam Gettis, Iowa

159. WR Juron Criner, Arizona

160. RB Chris Rainey, Florida

161. LB Kyle Wilber, Wake Forest

162. QB B.J. Coleman, UT-Chattanooga

163. OG Josh LeRibeus, SMU

164. CB Mike Harris, Florida State

165. S Trenton Robinson, Michigan State

166. LB Josh Kaddu, Oregon

167. CB Chase Minnifield, Virginia

168. OT Matt Reynolds, BYU

169. RB Boom Herron, Ohio State

170. CB Justin Bethel, Presbyterian

Sixth Round Value Rankings

171. TE Rhett Ellison, USC

172. CB Coty Sensabaugh, Clemson

173. OT Donald Stephenson, Oklahoma

174. WR Keshawn Martin, Michigan State

175. LB Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State

176. S Christian Thompson, South Carolina State

177. WR Dwight Jones, North Carolina

178. RB Tauren Poole, Tennessee

179. DE Derrick Shelby, Utah

180. TE James Hanna, Oklahoma

181. RB Michael Smith, Utah State

182. DT Brett Roy, Nevada

183. LB Emmanuel Acho, Texas

184. CB Asa Jackson, Cal-Poly

185. WR Greg Childs, Arkansas

186. DT Jaye Howard, Florida

187. CB Coryell Judie, Texas A&M

188. TE Brian Linthicum, Michigan State

189. OT Markus Zusevics, Iowa

190. OG Rishaw Johnson, California of Pennsylvania  

191. DE Donte Paige-Moss, North Carolina

192. CB Donnie Fletcher, Boston College

193. P Bryan Anger, California

194. S Charles Mitchell, Mississippi State

195. DT Marcus Forston, Miami

196. QB Kellen Moore, Boise State

197. LB Darius Fleming, Notre Dame

198. WR Marquis Maze, Alabama

199. FB Bradie Ewing, Wisconsin

200. LB Tyler Nielsen, Iowa

201. OT James Carmon, Mississippi State

202. CB Jeremy Jones, Wayne State

203. OG Lucas Nix, Pittsburgh

204. CB Robert Blanton, Notre Dame

205. TE Deangelo Peterson, LSU

206. DE/LB Brandon Lindsey, Pittsburgh

207. WR DeVier Posey, Ohio State

Seventh Round Value Rankings

208. WR Eric Page, Toledo

209. OT Levy Adcock, Oklahoma State

210. P Drew Butler, Georgia

211. DT Kheeston Randall, Texas

212. CB D’Anton Lynn, Penn State

213. TE Evan Rodriguez, Temple

214. S Aaron Henry, Wisconsin

215. DE Scott Solomon, Rice

216. DE/LB Jacquies Smith, Missouri

217. QB Chandler Harnish, Northern Illinois

218. LB Miles Burris, San Diego State

219. OT Lamar Holmes, Southern Miss

220. DT Mike Daniels, Iowa

221. CB Keith Tandy, West Virginia

222. C Gino Gradkowski, Delaware 

223. QB Case Keenum, Houston

224. CB Trevin Wade, Arizona

225. DT Logan Harrell, Fresno State

226. OT Joe Long, Wayne State

227. WR B.J. Cunningham, Michigan State

228. OG Desmond Wynn, Rutgers

229. K Greg Zuerlein, Missouri Western

230. CB Cliff Harris, Oregon

231. S Kelcie McCray, Arkansas State

232. TE Emil Igwenagu, Massachusetts

233. DT Vaughn Meatoga, Hawaii

234. WR Patrick Edwards, Houston

235. RB Darrell Scott, South Florida

236. WR Junior Hemingway, Michigan

237. CB Micah Pellerin, Hampton

238. S Cyhl Quarles, Wake Forest

239. CB Chris Greenwood, Albion

240. WR Gerrell Robinson, Arizona State

241. OG Andrew Tiller, Syracuse

242. S Duke Ihenacho, San Jose State

243. C Garth Gerhart, Arizona State

244. OG Ronald Leary, Memphis

245. LB Shawn Loiseau, Merrimack

246. RB Alfred Morris, Florida Atlantic

247. OT Marcel Jones, Nebraska

248. DE Frank Alexander, Oklahoma

249. WR Dale Moss, South Dakota State

250. DT Tydreke Powell, North Carolina

251. DE Jack Crawford, Penn State

252. LB Jerry Franklin, Arkansas

253. CB Johnson Bademosi, Stanford

Quarterback Value Rankings

1. Andrew Luck, Stanford (1)

2. Robert Griffin III, Baylor (2)

3. Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M (22)

4. Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State (42)

5. Brock Osweiler, Arizona State (51)

6. Kirk Cousins, Michigan State (74)

7. Ryan Lindley, San Diego State (98)

8. Nick Foles, Arizona (113)

9. Russell Wilson, Wisconsin (151)

10. B.J. Coleman, UT-Chattanooga (162)

11. Kellen Moore, Boise State (196)

12. Chandler Harnish, Northern Illinois (217)

13. Case Keenum, Houston (223)

Other Quarterbacks That Could Be Drafted

Austin Davis, Southern Miss

Darron Thomas, Oregon

Dominique Davis, East Carolina

John Brantley, Florida

Patrick Witt, Yale

Running Back Value Rankings

1. Trent Richardson, Alabama (3)

2. Doug Martin, Boise State (28)

3. Lamar Miller, Miami (44)

4. David Wilson, Virginia Tech (46)

5. LaMichael James, Oregon (49)

6. Chris Polk, Washington (66)

7. Isaiah Pead, Cincinnati (70)

8. Ronnie Hillman, San Diego State (81)

9. Bernard Pierce, Temple (83)

10. Robert Turbin, Utah State (104)

11. Cyrus Gray, Texas A&M (116)

12. Terrance Ganaway, Baylor (133)

13. Edwin Baker, Michigan State (136)

14. Vick Ballard, Mississippi State (153)

15. Chris Rainey, Florida (160)

16. Boom Herron, Ohio State (169)

17. Tauren Poole, Tennessee (178)

18. Michael Smith, Utah State (181)

19. (FB) Bradie Ewing, Wisconsin (199)

20. Darrell Scott, South Florida (235)

21. Alfred Morris, Florida Atlantic (246)

Other Running Backs That Could Be Drafted

Brandon Bolden, Ole Miss 

Bryce Brown, Kansas State

(FB) Chad Diehl, Clemson

(FB) Cody Johnson, Texas

Davin Meggett, Maryland

Jeff Demps, Florida

Jewel Hampton, Southern Illinois

(FB) Joe Martinek, Rutgers

Jonas Gray, Notre Dame

Lennon Creer, Louisiana Tech

Marc Tyler, USC

Mike Ball, Nevada

Wide Receiver Value Rankings

1. Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State (4)

2. Michael Floyd, Notre Dame (8)

3. Stephen Hill, Georgia Tech (20)

4. Kendall Wright, Baylor (30)

5. Rueben Randle, LSU (33)

6. Chris Givens, Wake Forest (43)

7. Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina (48)

8. Brian Quick, Appalachian State (61)

9. Mohamed Sanu, Rutgers (77)

10. A.J. Jenkins, Illinois (84)

11. Jarius Wright, Arkansas (86)

12. Marvin Jones, California (94)

13. Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma (107)

14. Nick Toon, Wisconsin (111)

15. Joe Adams, Arkansas (115)

16. Marvin McNutt, Iowa (120)

17. TY Hilton, Florida International (123)

18. Jeff Fuller, Texas A&M (131)

19. Tommy Streeter, Miami (138)

20. Rishard Matthews, Nevada (142)

21. Devon Wylie, Fresno State (154)

22. Juron Criner, Arizona (159)

23. Keshawn Martin, Michigan State (174)

24. Dwight Jones, North Carolina (177)

25. Greg Childs, Arkansas  (185)

26. Marquis Maze, Alabama (198)

27. DeVier Posey, Ohio State (207)

28. Eric Page, Toledo (208)

29. B.J. Cunningham, Michigan State (227)

30. Patrick Edwards, Houston (234)

31. Junior Hemingway, Michigan (236)

31. Gerrell Robinson, Arizona State (240)

32. Dale Moss, South Dakota State (249)

Other Wide Receivers That Could Be Drafted

Bert Reed, Florida State

Chris Owusu, Stanford

Danny Coale, Virginia Tech

Derek Moye, Penn State

Jarrett Boykin, Virginia Tech

Jermaine Kearse, Washington

Jerrell Jackson, Missouri

Josh Cooper, Oklahoma State

Lance Lewis, East Carolina

LaRon Byrd, Miami

T.J. Graham, North Carolina State

Taveon Rogers, New Mexico State

Thomas Mayo, California of Pennsylvania

Travis Benjamin, Miami 

Tight End Value Rankings

1. Coby Fleener, Stanford (26)

2. Orson Charles, Georgia (55)

3. Dwayne Allen, Clemson (63)

4. Michael Egnew, Missouri (108)

5. Ladarius Green, Louisiana-Lafayette (140)

6. Rhett Ellison, USC (171)

7. James Hanna, Oklahoma (180)

8. Brian Linthicum, Michigan State (188)

9. Deangelo Peterson, LSU (205)

10. Evan Rodriguez, Temple (213)

11. Emil Igwenagu, Massachusetts (232)

Other Tight Ends That Could Be Drafted

Anthony Miller, California

Beau Reliford, Florida State

Brad Smelley, Alabama

Cory Harkey, UCLA

David Paulson, Oregon

Drake Dunsmore, Northwestern

George Bryan, North Carolina State

Jake Byrne, Wisconsin

Kevin Koger, Michigan

Nick Provo, Syracuse

Offensive Tackle Value Rankings

1. Matt Kalil, USC (6)

2. Cordy Glenn, Georgia (17)

3. Riley Reiff, Iowa (19)

4. Jonathan Martin, Stanford (41)

5. Kelechi Osemele, Iowa State (54)

6. Bobby Massie, Ole Miss (58)

7. Mike Adams, Ohio State (60)

8. Jeff Allen, Illinois (71)

9. James Brown, Troy (78)

10. Mitchell Schwartz, California (79)

11. Zebrie Sanders, Florida State (88)

12. Nate Potter, Boise State (103)

13. Brandon Mosley, Auburn (118)

14. Tony Bergstrom, Utah  (134)

15. Tom Compton, South Dakota (143)

16. Matt McCants, UAB (155)

17. Andrew Datko, Florida State (157)

18. Matt Reynolds, BYU (168)

19. Donald Stephenson, Oklahoma (173)

20. Markus Zusevics, Iowa (189)

21. James Carmon, Mississippi State (201)

22. Levy Adcock, Oklahoma State (209)

23. Lamar Holmes, Southern Miss (219)

24. Joe Long, Wayne State (226)

25. Marcel Jones, Nebraska (247)

Other Offensive Tackles That Could Be Drafted

Al Netter, Northwestern

Blake DeChristopher, Virginia Tech

Bradley Sowell, Ole Miss

Bryce Harris, Fresno State

Jeff Adams, Columbia

John Cullen, Utah

Josh Oglesby, Wisconsin

Kyle Hill, Duke

Landon Walker, Clemson

Offensive Guard Value Rankings

1. David DeCastro, Stanford (16)

2. Kevin Zeitler, Wisconsin (29)

3. Amini Silatolu, Midwestern State (39)

4. Brandon Brooks, Miami of Ohio (75)

5. Brandon Washington, Miami (97)

6. Joe Looney, Wake Forest (124)

7. Senio Kelemete, Washington (145)

8. Adam Gettis, Iowa (158)

9. Josh LeRibeus, SMU (163)

10. Rishaw Johnson, California of Pennsylvania (190)

11. Lucas Nix, Pittsburgh (203)

12. Desmond Wynn, Rutgers (228)

13.  Andrew Tiller, Syracuse (241)

14. Ronald Leary, Memphis (244)

Other Offensive Guards That Could Be Drafted

Antoine McClain, Clemson

Derek Dennis, Temple

Jaymes Brooks, Virginia Tech

Jeremiah Warren, South Florida

Joel Foreman, Michigan State

Johnnie Troutman, Penn State

Kelvin Beachum, SMU

Ken Plue, Purdue

Manase Foketi, Kansas State

Mark Asper, Oregon

Robert T. Griffin, Baylor

Rokevious Watkins, South Carolina

Ryan Miller, Colorado

Wayne Tribue, Temple

Will Blackwell, LSU

Center Value Rankings

1. Peter Konz, Wisconsin (38)

2. Ben Jones, Georgia (91)

3. Philip Blake, Baylor (93)

4. David Molk, Michigan (102)

5. Quinton Saulsberry, Mississippi State (130)

6. Mike Brewster, Ohio State (150)

7. Gino Gradkowski, Delaware (222)

8. Garth Gerhart, Arizona State (243)

Other Centers That Could Be Drafted

Jason Slowey, Western Oregon

William Vlachos, Alabama

Defensive Tackle Value Rankings

1. Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State (7)

2. Michael Brockers, LSU (14)

3. Dontari Poe, Memphis (24)

4. Kendall Reyes, Connecticut (31)

5. Jerel Worthy, Michigan State (39)

6. Devon Still, Penn State (53)

7. Derek Wolfe, Cincinnati (59)

8. Brandon Thompson, Clemson (64)

9. Alameda Ta’amu, Washington (67)

10. Billy Winn, Boise State (90)

11. Mike Martin, Michigan (92)

12. Josh Chapman, Alabama (95)

13. DaJohn Harris, USC (114)

14. Akiem Hicks, Regina (129)

15. Hebron Fangupo, BYU (141)

16. Brett Roy, Nevada (182)

17. Jaye Howard, Florida (186)

18. Marcus Forston, Miami (195)

19. Kheeston Randall, Texas (211)

20. Mike Daniels, Iowa (220)

21. Logan Harrell, Fresno State (225)

22. Vaughn Meatoga, Hawaii (233)

23. Tydreke Powell, North Carolina (250)

Other Defensive Tackles That Could Be Drafted

Chas Alecxih, Pittsburgh

Christian Tupou, USC

DeAngelo Tyson, Georgia

Dominique Hamilton, Missouri

J.R. Sweezy, North Carolina State

John Hughes, Cincinnati

Markus Kuhn, North Carolina State

Nicolas Jean-Baptiste, Baylor

Renard Williams, Eastern Washington

Rennie Moore, Clemson

Tony Jerod-Eddie, Texas A&M

Travian Robertson, South Carolina

Defensive End Value Rankings

1. Whitney Mercilus, Illinois* (12)

2. Melvin Ingram, South Carolina* (13)

3. Chandler Jones, Syracuse* (15)

4. Quinton Coples, North Carolina (23)

5. Shea McClellin, Boise State* (27)

6. Nick Perry, USC* (32)

7. Bruce Irvin, West Virginia*  (35)

8. Andre Branch, Clemson* (47)

9. Vinny Curry, Marshall (50)

10. Jared Crick, Nebraska (62)

11. Ronnell Lewis, Oklahoma* (80)

12. Cam Johnson, Virginia (89)

13. Jonathan Massaquoi, Troy (106)

14. Trevor Guyton, Cal (119)

15. Tyrone Crawford, Boise State (128)

16. Malik Jackson, Tennessee (139)

17. Jake Bequette, Arkansas (146)

18. Taylor Thompson, SMU (148)

19. Olivier Vernon, Miami (156)

20. Derrick Shelby, Utah (179)

21. Donte Paige-Moss, North Carolina (191)

22. Brandon Lindsey, Pittsburgh* (206)

23. Scott Solomon, Rice (215)

24. Jacquies Smith, Missouri* (216)

25. Frank Alexander, Oklahoma (248)

26. Jack Crawford, Penn State  (251) 

*Denotes Potential 3-4 Outside Linebacker

Other Defensive Ends That Could Be Drafted

Brian McNally, New Hampshire

Jamaar Jarrett, Arizona State

James Brooks, North Alabama

Jamie Blatnick, Oklahoma State

Julian Miller, West Virginia

Justin Francis, Rutgers

Kentrell Lockett, Ole Miss

Louis Nzegwu, Wisconsin

Matt Conrath, Virginia

Vince Browne, Northwestern

Linebacker Value Rankings

1. Luke Kuechly, Boston College (11)

2. Dont’a Hightower, Alabama (18)

3. Courtney Upshaw, Alabama (21)

4. Lavonte David, Nebraska (36)

5. Zach Brown, North Carolina (65)

6. Terrell Manning, N.C. State (68)

7. Mychal Kendricks, California (69)

8. James-Michael Johnson, Nevada (85)

9. Keenan Robinson, Texas (96)

10. Sean Spence, Miami (100)

11. Bobby Wagner, Utah State (109)

12. Audie Cole, North Carolina State (121)

13. Nigel Bradham, Florida State (126)

14. Tank Carder, TCU (135)

15. Travis Lewis, Oklahoma (144)

16. Demario Davis, Arkansas State (147)

17. Kyle Wilber, Wake Forest (161)

18. Josh Kaddu, Oregon (166)

19. Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State (175)

20. Emmanuel Acho, Texas  (183)

21. Darius Fleming, Notre Dame (197)

22. Tyler Nielsen, Iowa (200)

23. Miles Burris, San Diego State (218)

24. Shawn Loiseau, Merrimack (245)

25. Jerry Franklin, Arkansas (252)

Other Linebackers That Could Be Drafted

Adrian Cole, Louisiana Tech

Adrian Hamilton, Prairie View A&M

Adrian Robinson, Temple

Brandon Marshall, Nevada

Caleb McSurdy, Maine

Carmen Messina, New Mexico

Chris Galippo, USC

Chris Marve, Vanderbilt

Danny Trevathan, Kentucky

Marcus Dowtin, North Alabama

Najee Goode, West Virginia

Nathan Stupar, Penn State

Ronnie Thornton, Southern Miss

Ryan Baker, LSU

Sammy Brown, Houston

Tahir Whitehead, Temple

Cornerback Value Rankings

1. Morris Claiborne, LSU (5)

2. Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina (9)

3. Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama (25)

4. Trumaine Johnson, Montana (34)

5. Janoris Jenkins, North Alabama (45)

6. Brandon Boykin, Georgia (52)

7. Casey Hayward, Vanderbilt (56)

8. Josh Robinson, Central Florida (57)

9. Josh Norman, Coastal Carolina (72)

10. Dwight Bentley, Louisiana-Lafayette (76)

11. Jamell Fleming, Oklahoma (82)

12. Leonard Johnson, Iowa State (99)

13. Omar Bolden, Arizona State (110)

14. Jayron Hosley, Virginia Tech (112)

15. Alfonzo Dennard, Nebraska (125)

16. Ron Brooks, LSU (132)

17. Ryan Steed, Furman (137)

18. Shaun Prater, Iowa (152)

19. Mike Harris, Florida State (164)

20. Chase Minnifield, Virginia (167)

21. Justin Bethel, Presbyterian (170)

22. Coty Sensabaugh, Clemson (172)

23. Asa Jackson, Cal Poly (184)

24. Coryell Judie, Texas A&M (187)

25. Donnie Fletcher, Boston College (192)

26. Jeremy Jones, Wayne State (202)

27. Robert Blanton, Notre Dame (204)

28. D’Anton Lynn, Penn State (212)

29. Keith Tandy, West Virginia (221)

30. Trevin Wade, Arizona (224)

31. Cliff Harris, Oregon (230)

32. Micah Pellerin, Hampton (237)

33. Chris Greenwood, Albion (239)

34. Johnson Bademosi, Stanford (253)

Other Cornerbacks That Could Be Drafted

Akeem Auguste, South Carolina

Antonio Fenelus, Wisconsin

Antwuan Reed, Pittsburgh

Cameron Chism, Maryland

Charles Brown, North Carolina

Conroy Black, Utah

Emanuel Davis, East Carolina

Isaiah Frey, Nevada

Tashaun Gipson, Wyoming

Terrence Frederick, Texas A&M

Troy Woolfolk, Michigan

Safety Value Rankings

1. Mark Barron, Alabama (10)

2. Harrison Smith, Notre Dame (40)

3. Brandon Taylor, LSU (73)

4. George Iloka, Boise State (87)

5. Antonio Allen, South Carolina (101)

6. DeQuan Menzie, Alabama (105)

7. Markelle Martin, Oklahoma State (117)

8. Janzen Jackson, McNeese State (122)

9. Brandon Hardin, Oregon State (127)

10. Phillip Thomas, Syracuse (149)

11. Trenton Robinson, Michigan State (165)

12. Christian Thompson, South Carolina State (176)

13. Charles Mitchell, Mississippi State (194)

14. Aaron Henry, Wisconsin (214)

15. Kelcie McCray, Arkansas State (231)  

16. Cyhl Quarles, Wake Forest (238)

17. Duke Ihenacho, San Jose State (242)

Other Safeties That Could Be Drafted

Corey White, Samford

Eddie Pleasant, Oregon

Eddie Whitley, Virginia Tech

Jerrell Young, South Florida

Johnny Thomas, Oklahoma State

Kendrick Presley, Southern Miss

Matt Merletti, North Carolina

Sean Cattouse, Cal

Sean Richardson, Vanderbilt

Tony Dye, UCLA

Winston Guy, Kentucky

Specialist Value Rankings

1. (P) Bryan Anger, California (193)

2. (P) Drew Butler, Georgia (210)

3. (K) Greg Zuerlein, Missouri Western (229)

Other Specialists That Could Be Drafted

K Blair Walsh, Georgia 

K Randy Bullock, Texas A&M

K Carson Wiggs, Purdue

K Danny Hrapmann, Southern Miss

P Shawn Powell, Florida State 

P Brian Stahovich, San Diego State

P Kyle Martens, Rice

P Brad Nortman, Wisconsin