Top 50 Pro Prospects for the NFL Draft ’08

1. Matt Ryan - QB - 6’4” 220 lbs. - Boston College
Savvy pocket QB retains his top ranking in this talented class since last fall. He looks to impress at his pro day throwing the ball to be the #1 overall prospect this April.

2. Chris Long - DE - 6’5” 285 lbs. - Virginia
Athletic senior ‘tweener defender had an impact workout at the NFL Combine and is the safest selection in this draft class.

3. Glenn Dorsey - DT - 6’2” 300 lbs. - LSU
Explosive senior tackle was a dominant force over the ’07 season but must answer leg injury questions at his pro day later this month.

4. Jake Long - OT - 6’7” 320 lbs. - Michigan
Physical senior tackle is one of the most developed prospects in this class and completed a fine NFL Combine workout to guarantee a top ten selection.

5. * Vernon Gholston - DE - 6’4” 260 lbs. - Ohio St
Fast junior ‘tweener defender had a very strong NFL Combine workout plus the big play ability to a pro difference maker as a sack artist.

6. Sedrick Ellis - DT - 6’2” 295 lbs. - Southern Cal
Cat like senior tackle is a major inside force who impressed at every stage of the scouting process.

7. * Darren McFadden - RB - 6’1” 220 lbs. - Arkansas
Fast junior tailback had a strong workout at the NFL Combine and is an early NFL starter as a pro.

8. Leodis McKelvin - CB - 5’11” 190 lbs. - Troy University
Quick cover man and return specialist was impressive at both the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine to rank as the top defensive back in this class.

9. Keith Rivers - LB - 6’3” 220 lbs. - Southern Cal
Athletic senior outside linebacker displays well developed talent and is ready to start early as a pro.

10. Mike Jenkins - CB - 5’10” 200 lbs. - South Florida
Athletic cornerback finished an impressive season and postseason with a strong NFL Combine workout.

11. * Ryan Clady - OT - 6’6” 310 lbs. - Boise St
Nimble junior left tackle had a strong pro day after sitting out the NFL Combine.

12. * Rashard Mendenhall - RB - 5’11” 215 lbs. - Illinois
Athletic junior tailback has the complete package to be a rookie workhorse feature back.

13. * Derrick Harvey - DE - 6’4” 245 lbs. - Florida
Fast junior edge rusher puts consistent outside pressure on the passer to change games in one play.

14. Chris Williams - OT - 6’5” 310 lbs. - Vanderbilt
Huge mobile senior tackle has developed nicely and graded out high vs top SEC talent and finished with another strong performance in the postseason.

15. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie - CB - 6’1” 185 lbs. - Tennessee St
Athletic small college corner was a shutdown cover man at the lower level and had the most impressive postseason at both the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine weeks.

16. Brian Brohm - QB - 6’4” 225 lbs. - Louisville
Slick throwing pocket passer needs a strong pro day throwing the ball to solidify a first round grade.

17. Antoine Cason -CB - 6’1” 185 lbs.- Arizona
Tough senior cornerback is a savvy cover man who answered all the key questions with a strong workout at the NFL Combine.

18. * Phillip Merling - DE - 6’5” 270 lbs.- Clemson
Powerful junior defender has been a big play performer over his short career but did not workout at the NFL Combine and needs to impress at a late workout.

19. * Calais Campbell - DE - 6’7” 280 lbs. - Miami
Huge junior defensive end has the athletic package to be a first round prospect and gave a good effort at the NFL Combine.

20. Jeff Otah - OT - 6’6” 320 lbs. - Pittsburgh
Huge mobile senior tackle combines good short area footwork and the physical package to start as a pro but he failed to impress at the NFL Combine.

21. * DeSean Jackson - WR - 5’11” 170 lbs. - California
Explosive all-purpose playmaker is a big play weapon that backed up his athleticism with a strong workout at the NFL Combine and pro day.

22. Quentin Groves - DE - 6’4” 255 lbs. - Auburn
Athletic senior pass rusher finished with a strong ’07 season and impressed further at NFL Combine to move into the first round.

23. * Kenny Phillips - FS - 6’1” 205 lbs. - Miami
Smooth athletic junior safety is a fluid defender with well developed skills for the pro game but his average ’07 season and good NFL Combine makes him a first round bubble prospect.

24. * Branden Albert - OG - 6’6” 335 lbs. - Virginia
Huge junior guard has the prototypical talent for the inside and is moving up the charts quickly off a big NFL Combine performance and some late scouting work.

25. * Malcolm Kelly - WR - 6’3” 210 lbs. - Oklahoma
Big athletic junior receiver is a good playmaker with the package to become a top NFL receiver but his final workout will probably determine his draft position.

26. Kentwan Balmer - DT - 6'5" 290 lbs. - North Carolina
Big athletic interior defender had fine production and the triangle numbers to impress further in the postseason and move into the late first round.

27. * Jonathan Stewart - RB - 5’11” 235 lbs. - Oregon
Explosive junior running back faces a difficult rehab with March toe surgery that puts his draft status in question entering April. He combines a good combination of power and speed to break the big play.

28. * Curtis Lofton - LB - 6’ 240 lbs. - Oklahoma
Powerful junior linebacker was a difference maker for the Sooners last season with the talent to become a special NFL defender with some development.

29. Limas Sweed - WR - 6’4” 220 lbs. - Texas
Physical wideout looks for a big Texas pro day after only an average NFL Combine performance following an injury marred final season.

30. * Felix Jones - RB - 5’10” 200 lbs. - Arkansas
Fast junior all-purpose performer had a good workout at the NFL Combine that may place him in the 1st round.

31. * Brandon Flowers - CB - 5’9” 190 lbs. - Virginia Tech
Quick junior corner possesses fine coverage skills and technique with some playmaking ability but needs a big pro day to recover from a very average NFL Combine performance.

32. Dan Connor - LB - 6’2” 235 lbs. - Penn St
Rugged inside linebacker has the smarts, physical talent, intangibles and production to become a fine NFL starter and is NFL ready after playing at a high level of competition.

33. Early Doucet - WR - 6’ 200 lbs. - LSU
Fast wideout had a solid effort at the Senior Bowl week but sat out the NFL Combine that makes his late March pro day vital to his final draft status.

34. * Aqib Talib - CB - 6’1” 200 lbs. - Kansas
Gambling junior corner has the talent to become a fine starting NFL cover man but still needs some development to be ready to become a regular pro.

35. * James Hardy - WR - 6’5” 215 lbs. - Indiana
Huge junior receiver had an incredible ’07 season followed by a fine workout at the NFL Combine that ranks him in the top tier of pro playmakers.

36. * Erin Henderson - LB - 6’2” 235 lbs. - Maryland
Mobile junior backer combines top athleticism with big play ability and the toughness to be an early NFL starter.

37. * Mario Manningham - WR - 6’ 180 lbs. - Michigan
Athletic junior playmaker recovered from a weak NFL Combine with a strong Michigan pro day that keeps him in the top 40 prospects.

38. * Justin King - CB - 5’11”185 lbs. - Penn St
Agile junior cornerback has a fine athletic package for the position and solidified a top 50 grade with a strong workout at the NFL Combine.

39. * Jerod Mayo - LB - 6’2” 230 lbs. - Tennessee
Savvy junior linebacker declared after an excellent ’07 season, showing good speed, instincts and tackling ability to make plays. His NFL Combine effort moves him into the top 50 prospects.

40. * Reggie Smith - CB - 6’ 200 lbs. - Oklahoma
Big athletic junior cornerback has fine triangle numbers for the position with the playmaking ability to develop into a top pro defender but faces concerns related to foot injury with no postseason workouts.

41. Gosder Cherilus - OT - 6’6” 320 lbs. - Boston College
Massive versatile tackle had a good week at the Senior Bowl to rank right behind the top prospects at the NFL Drafts strongest position.

42. Chad Henne - QB - 6’2” 230 lbs. - Michigan
Classic pocket QB battled through ’07 injuries but completed a strong postseason performance at the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine to move up the rankings.

43. * Devin Thomas - WR - 6’2” 215 lbs. - Michigan St.
Fast athletic junior receiver had a breakout ‘07 season, showing big play ability and finished with a very strong NFL Combine workout that moves him into the early rounds.

44. Dustin Keller - TE - 6’3” 230 lbs. - Purdue
Agile receiving tight end gives his pro offense an added dimension and exploded with a huge effort at the NFL Combine workout that will warrant an early selection.

45. Chris Johnson - RB - 5’11” 200 lbs. - East Carolina
Fast senior tailback is a big play weapon as a runner, receiver and return specialist and had a monster workout at the NFL Combine.

46. Sam Baker - OT - 6’4” 310 lbs. - Southern Cal
Mobile senior tackle had only an ordinary week at the Senior Bowl that leaves him beyond the top prospects at a very deep position.

47. Patrick Lee - CB - 6’ 200 lbs - Auburn
Big strong senior corner has the complete athletic package to become a top pro starting corner.

48. Lawrence Jackson - DE - 6’5” 270 lbs. - USC
Athletic defensive end had a strong ’07 finish including good weeks at the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine.

49. * DaJuan Morgan - SS - 6’ 205 lbs. - North Carolina St
Tough junior safety is coming off an impressive ’07 effort and good workout at the NFL Combine.

50. Trevor Laws - DT - 6’1” 300 lbs. - Notre Dame
Quick senior tackle had a strong postseason at both the Senior Bowl and during drills at the NFL Combine.

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