NFL Draft '08 Review -
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Photo - Runner Jonathan Stewart - Oregon

The Panthers selected runner Jonathan Stewart in the first round and see him as a key component in their ground game with starter DeAngelo Williams. Stewart should be 100% by training camp from toe surgery. They traded back into the first round with the Eagles for their #2 and #4 picks this year and next year’s #1 pick to select OT Jeff Otah with the 19th overall selection. It was an extremely high price to pay but they felt he was a player they needed to make the offense work. He can play either side and has a good chance to start as a rookie with a good training camp. With their two 3rd round selections, they chose CB Chris Godfrey and LB Dan Connor. Godfrey is a good athlete with experience in both man and zone coverage. He will press for time in the nickel package immediately and should start within a few seasons. Connor is an instinctive defender with versatility and experience. He figures to press for a starting position in camp and could eventually start at either any position though the Mike spot in his best fit.

Top 100 NFL Prospects NFL Draft ’08
Final Value Board - April 25th

Photo - Chris Long - DE - Virginia
* underclassmen

1. Matt Ryan - QB - Boston College
2. Chris Long - DE - Virginia
3. Glenn Dorsey - DT - LSU
4. Jake Long - OT - Michigan
5. * Vernon Gholston - DE - Ohio St
6. Sedrick Ellis - DT - Southern Cal
7. Leodis McKelvin - CB - Troy University
8. Keith Rivers - LB - Southern Cal
9. * Darren McFadden - RB - Arkansas
10. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie - CB - Tenn St
11. * Ryan Clady - OT - Boise St
12. * Rashard Mendenhall - RB - Illinois
13. * Branden Albert - OG - Virginia
14. * Derrick Harvey - DE - Florida
15. Chris Williams - OT - Vanderbilt

Dolphins Sign Jake Long with #1 Overall Pick

The Miami Dolphins signed Michigan's OT Jake Long with the #1 overall pick that leaves no doubt on their direction in the NFL Draft '08. Long is a very good fit in Miami coupling with veteran Vernon Carey to form a powerful set of bookend tackles. They were also joined by veteran guard Justin Smiley in free agency. Long signed to a 5-year, $57M deal including over $30M in guaranteed dollars. They also hold the #32 overall pick and will focus on other needs most likely staying on the offensive side of the ball.

Top 50 Pro Prospects for the NFL Draft ’08
* underclassmen Rating - April 16

Photo - RB Felix Jones - Arkansas

1. Matt Ryan - QB - Boston College
2. Chris Long - DE - Virginia
3. Glenn Dorsey - DT - LSU
4. Jake Long - OT - Michigan
5. * Vernon Gholston - DE - Ohio St
6. Sedrick Ellis - DT - Southern Cal
7. Leodis McKelvin - CB - Troy University
8. Keith Rivers - LB - Southern Cal
9. * Darren McFadden - RB - Arkansas
10. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie - CB - Tennessee St
11. * Ryan Clady - OT - Boise St
12. * Rashard Mendenhall - RB - Illinois
13. * Branden Albert - OG - Virginia
14. * Derrick Harvey - DE - Florida
15. Chris Williams - OT - Vanderbilt

Inside Linebackers
Positional Overview:
Despite being a critical position and a core of a pro defense, this spot has become a two down position in recent years with most players a one dimensional run stuffer. This class is an above average group with several highly regarded prospects expected to go in the top 100 selections. Juniors Curtis Lofton and Jerod Mayo and senior Dan Connor project both inside and outside and head this solid group. Lofton has a chance to be a special NFL defender. Connor is a savvy tough backer who can start as a rookie in either scheme. This year's group is a good class and features several early NFL starters in Lofton, Connor, Mayo, Beau Bell, Philip Wheeler and Jonathan Goff. At least 5-6 of them could be the only top 100 selections. Expect at least 6 to 8 NFL starters in time. This position could provide as many as 10 to 12 picks over the two-day event.

Photo - LB Curtis Lofton - Oklahoma
New NFL Draft '08Yearbook with over 400 in-depth Scouting Reports - available now

Curtis Lofton is our #1 inside linebacker with impact ability for the NFL game. He is ranked our #2 outside linebacker behind only senior Keith Rivers with more upside potential than the Southern Cal #1 pick and possible top ten selection.

1.*Curtis Lofton #40 - 6’ 245 lbs. - Oklahoma - Sp 4.65
Key Factors
Athletic Ability - 9 / Speed - 8
Quickness - 9 / Strength - 8
Run Defense - 9 / Pass Rushing - 7
Pass Coverage - 8 / Intangibles - 8
Instincts - 9 / Pursuit - 9
Hindu Theory - Al Wilson

Powerful junior linebacker has been one of the premier defenders in the Big 12 over the ’07 season, earning Defensive Player of the Year honors. Curtis combines all the physical skills physically and mentally to be an impact performer in the NFL and is best suited for the Mike spot, though he played outside this past season. He has been a top playmaker for the Sooners since midway of his sophomore season. He is a powerfully built compact defender with excellent mobility and fluid athleticism to get to the ball and deliver bone crushing hits. He was a dominant performer over the ’07 season where he displayed game to game big play ability and the consistency necessary to lead a defensive unit.

Positional Overview: Offensive Tackles - Grade A
This year's offensive tackle group is an outstanding class with the addition of a few juniors Ryan Clady and Anthony Collins. Jake Long will probably be the first player selected at this position in the top ten picks of the first round. There will be at least four #1 picks with prospects like Ryan Clady, Jeff Otah, Gosder Cherilus and Chris Williams all probable first round selections. This class should produce 10 to 12 prospects selected over the first 100 selections with as many as 15-18 potential starters to the NFL in time.

Photo - OT Jeff Otah - Pittsburgh

1. Jake Long - 6-7, 305 - 5.05 - Michigan
Physical senior left tackle has well developed skills and the experience to start as an NFL rookie. He solidified the #1 rating here with a strong workout in Indy.

2. * Ryan Clady - 6-6, 310 - 5.25 - Boise St
Nimble junior left tackle is prepping for a strong NFL Combine effort after a dominant WAC career.

3. Chris Williams - 6-6, 315 - 5.20 - Vanderbilt
Big mobile tackle has developed nicely while grading out high vs top SEC talent and finishing his career with a strong Senior Bowl performance. He had a fine workout in Indy.

4. Jeff Otah - 6-6, 340 - 5.40 - Pittsburgh
Huge mobile left tackle combines very good footwork and the triangle numbers to be one of the fastest rising prospects in this class but struggled in workouts at the NFL Combine.

5. Gosder Cherilus - 6-6, 315 - 5.20 - Boston College
Massive athletic left tackle has developed nicely and had a big performance at the Senior Bowl to rank among the elite prospects.

Notre Dame's Carlson Heads Fine Tight End Class

POSITIONAL OVERVIEW: Tight Ends - Grade B
This year's tight end group is a fine class with seniors prospects John Carlson, Fred Davis and Dustin Keller all fine performers who should be top 100 selections. With the addition of talented juniors Marcellus Bennett and Jermichael Finley, this group is a fine class of pass catchers who can provide impact in pro passing attacks. This TE class lacks a first round prospect, but it is a solid group of playmakers that is one of the deeper ones in recent years.

Tight Ends

1. John Carlson - 6-5, 250 4.65 - Notre Dame
Sure handed tight end is coming off a weak final season and an offseason illness. His NFL Combine workout was only average but he produced a huge performance at his ND pro day. He ran a 4.67 time and showed well developed receiving skills that moves him to the head of this good class of tight end prospects.

2. Fred Davis - 6-3, 255 4.75 - Southern Cal
Mobile athletic tight end displays fine receiving skills and improving blocking ability to be an early NFL starter.

3. Dustin Keller - 6-2, 245 4.45 - Purdue
Mobile receiving tight end has been very productive over his fine Big Ten career and gives an offense an added dimension in the passing game. He had a great workout in Indy and moved up among the elite TE prospects.

4. Brad Cottam - 6-7, 270 4.65 - Tennessee
Huge senior tight end had a good week at the Senior Bowl after an injury marred final season. He followed that with a good effort at the combine that moves him into the upper echelon of the position.

QB Matt Ryan impresses at BC Pro Day
Quarterback Rankings for NFL Draft '08

Photo - QB Matt Ryan - Boston College

Boston College hosted its annual NFL Pro Day on Tuesday afternoon, which featured QB Matt Ryan, along with other draft-eligible BC and local area players. The pro day workout was attended by 43 pro personnel men from 23 NFL teams and more than 70 members of the media who watched as players ran timed agility drills and completed position work outs in the Boston College bubble. Ryan threw 52 passes in various formations to former BC receivers Kevin Challenger, Jon Loyte, Tony Gonzalez, Andre Callender and L.V. Whitworth. He looked sharp throwing the ball and worked both under center and from the shotgun. He threw an equal amount of passes in the short, intermediate and deep zones dsplaying fine accuracy, timing and velocity. Both his throwing and footwork mechanics were sound and he answered questions his athleticism and arm strength. This completed his postseason workout except for selected appearances at private drills for NFL teams. At the NFL Combine he ran twice and did two 4.95 times and participated in the 20 yard and 3 cone drills only.
High profile NFL front office people and coaches included Kansas City Chiefs' head coach Herm Edwards and GM Carl Peterson who were among those that watched from the sidelines as Ryan took the field. Other NFL brass in attendance were Atlanta Falcon Director of College scouting Phil Emory and pro personnel director Les Snead. Baltimore was well represented by Director of College scouting Eric DeCosta and Player Personnel Director George Kokinis. Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, New Orleans Saints QB coach Pete Carmichael Jr. and Carolina Panthers GM Marty Hurney were some of the others in attendance. NFL teams like Miami, Atlanta, Kansas City and Baltimore will all consider individual private workout at their facilites during the final leg of the player evaluation process. Each of those teams have already interviewed him at the NFL Combine in late February.

QB Matt Ryan of Boston College has been our #1 QB prospect since September. He remains not only our #1 QB prospect but the #1 overall prospect for the NFL Draft '08 since early in the '07 season.

Positional Overview: Quarterbacks - Grade B
This is an above-average class with good upside if the young passers continue to develop. Several top prospects, including seniors Matt Ryan and Brian Brohm should be first-round selections. Ryan will likely be taken in the top 5 selections. Passers like Chad Henne, Andre Woodson and John David Booty were impressive during the Senior Bowl practices and game that elevated them into the first two rounds. Delaware's Joe Flacco is an interesting small-college prospect. He made major strides this fall, and impressed scouts with a big arm at the Senior Bowl. He makes this a special group after also impressing at his workout at the NFL Combine.

Quarterbacks

1. Matt Ryan - 6-5, 225 - 4.90 - Boston College
Strong armed senior held the #1 rating with a big week at the NFL Combine. He will throw at his pro day and is doing all the right things to be a very early 1st round pick.

2. Brian Brohm - 6-3, 230 - 4.85 - Louisville
Slick throwing senior shows the complete package to become a fine NFL starter and had a decent workout at the combine. He needs to impress at his pro day throwing the ball to stay in the first round.