NFP Updated Top 100

FROM WES BUNTING:

Since we finished our position rankings on Tuesday, it’s time to take a broader look at the draft and break down the nation’s top 100 prospects. This is the second to last position ranking and top 100 we’ll post before the draft. So after this board is posted, there won’t be any significant changes in the coming weeks.

1.     OT Eugene Monroe, Virginia

An athletically gifted tackle with the length and feet to become one of the league’s best.

2.     OLB Aaron Curry, Wake Forest

Displays rare athletic ability for a player his size and looks like a real difference-maker in the NFL.

3.     DT B.J. Raji, Boston College

The draft’s top defensive tackle, but he has some question marks as far as character is concerned.

      4.     WR Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech

On tape, the guy is one of the draft’s few elite talents.

5.     QB Mark Sanchez, USC

Has ideal anticipation skills and accuracy for the position; only concern is experience.

6.     OT Jason Smith, Baylor

Former tight end who possesses the feet and agility to handle the left side.

7.     WR Jeremy Maclin, Missouri

A big-time playmaker who has the ability to separate on all levels of the field.

8.     OT Andre Smith, Alabama

There are some character concerns, but his talent and base strength are undeniable.

9.     DE Aaron Maybin, Penn State

A long-armed pass rusher who exhibits the first step and awareness to be a real force off the edge.

10.  QB Matthew Stafford, Georgia

All the physical tools are there, but he has a tendency to lose the strike zone and get sloppy with his technique.

11.  FS/CB Sean Smith, Utah

Exhibits impressive body control and footwork for a man his size; has the versatility to play corner and safety at the next level.

12.  DE Robert Ayers, Tennessee

As NFL ready as any prospect in the draft.

13.  RB Knowshon Moreno, Georgia

One of the most instinctive running backs to come along in years.

14.  OLB/DE Everette Brown, Florida State

An ideal pass-rushing OLB who has the first step to consistently reach the corner.

15.  CB/FS Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State

Offers some versatility to an NFL secondary; possesses the ball skills and footwork to play either corner or safety.

16.  RB Chris Wells, Ohio State

Showcases great feet and body control for a back of his dimensions, if he wants it, the sky is the limit.

17.  DE/DT Jarron Gilbert, San Jose State

Has the strength, burst and length to play all over the defensive line.

18.  DT Peria Jerry, Mississippi

One of the draft’s most underrated players, he has the ability to consistently penetrate at the next level.

19.  DE Brian Orakpo, Texas

A physically gifted defensive end, but he doesn’t play as strong as his weight-room numbers indicate. 

20.  CB Alphonso Smith, Wake Forest

Plays with great balance and always puts himself in position to make plays.

21.  TE Shawn Nelson, Southern Miss

His combination of size, athletic ability and length will allow him to make an instant impact at the next level.

22.  OT Eben Britton, Arizona

His balance, footwork and base strength are simply too good to overlook.

23.  OT Michael Oher, Mississippi

Has the talent to be a top-10 pick, but you worry about his instincts as a left tackle.

24.  TE Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma State

The kind of dual receiving/blocking tight end threat that’s extremely tough to find.

25.  DE Tyson Jackson, LSU

Has the power and length to make a seamless transition to the five-technique defensive end position.

26.   DE/OLB/TE Connor Barwin, Cincinnati

It’s scary to think how good this kid could be if he specialized at one position.

27.  OLB Clay Matthews, USC

Displays the athleticism and fluidity to play three downs in the NFL.

28.  OT William Beatty, Connecticut

A graceful left tackle who displays good length and hand placement on the outside.

29.  ILB Rey Maualuga, USC

Did a nice job at his pro day, running in the 4.7 range and showcasing better than anticipated athleticism.

30.  WR Hakeem Nicks, North Carolina

A physical wideout who makes up for his lack of top-end speed with impressive route-running ability.

31.  C Alex Mack, California

Plays with a mean streak and displays better athleticism than given credit for.

32.  WR/RB Percy Harvin, Florida

Is dynamite with the ball in his hands, but can he separate on the outside in the NFL?

33.  CB D.J. Moore, Vanderbilt

Has some of the best closing burst of any corner in the draft but lacks ideal straight-line speed.

34.  CB Vontae Davis, Illinois

Displays great size/speed numbers, but I worry about his technique, instincts and willingness to get better.

35.  CB Darius Butler, Connecticut

Isn’t afraid to stick his head in vs. the run and displays natural cover skills.

36.  DT Evander Hood, Missouri

An explosive interior lineman who is very quick and does a nice job fighting through blocks.

37.  DE Michael Johnson, Georgia Tech

Possesses a rare blend of physical skills but has yet to put it all together.

38.  OLB Brian Cushing, USC

An instinctive linebacker who isn’t quite the prospect his press clippings would lead you to believe.

39.  ILB James Laurinaitis, Ohio State

Relies on his instincts and technique but always finds a way to get after the ball.

40.  FS/CB Sherrod Martin, Troy

A very fluid defensive back who has added value because of his versatility.

41.  C Max Unger, Oregon

One of the most athletic centers to come along in years; has the versatility to kick out to tackle as well.

42.  OLB Larry English, Northern Illinois

Looks like a pass-rushing 3-4 OLB to me.

43.  WR Kenny Britt, Rutgers

Has the size and suddenness to develop into a No. 1-type receiver.

44.  DE Lawrence Sidbury Jr., Richmond

His combination of balance and burst will make him tough to block at the next level.

45.  OG Duke Robinson, Oklahoma

A physical road-grader inside who exhibits smooth feet for his size.

46.  CB Asher Allen, Georgia

Possesses the fluidity to consistently stay with receivers out of their breaks.

47.  DT Sen’Derrick Marks, Auburn

An explosive interior pass rusher who’s an ideal fit for a one-gapping scheme.

48.  TE Jared Cook, South Carolina

Possesses the vertical speed to be a consistent threat down the field.

49.  DT Ron Brace, Boston College

A physical interior lineman with the girth and power to eat up blockers.

50.  WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland

Possesses an unparalleled combination of size and speed; could develop into one of the league’s top vertical threats.

51.  RB Shonn Greene, Iowa

Isn’t a burner, but his combination of size, vision and footwork will serve him well at the next level.

52.  SS William Moore, Missouri

Finally looks to be regaining his junior form after an injury-plagued senior season.

53.  CB Kevin Barnes, Maryland

Has really impressed in postseason workouts after a shoulder injury derailed his 2008 season.

54.  OT Phil Loadholt, Oklahoma

Looks like a potential starting RT in the NFL.

55.  RB Donald Brown, Connecticut

Needs to become more patient but displays impressive power and burst between the tackles.

56.  C Eric Wood, Louisville

A physical center who loves to maul defenders in the run game.

57.  OG Herman Johnson, LSU

Massive interior lineman with the size and length to excel in a power-run scheme.

58.  C Antoine Caldwell, Alabama

Has been the one center consistently overlooked this draft season, but he has starting potential.

59.  FS Rashad Johnson, Alabama

Displays good instincts and elite ball skills in space.

60.  RB LeSean McCoy, Pittsburgh

Doesn’t display the type of power or vision needed to create plays between the tackles but is definitely a big-play threat.

61.  DT Dorell Scott, Clemson

A powerful interior lineman who combines an impressive first step with good power at the point of attack.

62.  CB Coye Francies, San Jose State

A tall, rangy corner who has impressive ball skills and closing speed on all levels of the field.

63.  DE David Veikune, Hawaii

Showcases a deceiving first step off the edge and exhibits the power and natural leverage to get under tackles and shed blocks.

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