Now that the official list of underclassmen is set, a legitimate top-100 draft board can be put together. The National Football Post will update its board regularly, but with fewer than 90 days left until the NFL Draft, here is our current list of the top 100 prospects.
1. WR Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech
The draft’s premier threat at receiver, he has the entire package and is destined to become one of the NFL's top wide receivers.
2. OT Eugene Monroe, Virginia
An athletically gifted tackle who possesses quick feet and the athleticism to handle the left side in the NFL.
3. LB Aaron Curry, Wake Forest
Curry is one of the draft’s elite prospects and should make an immediate impact at the next level.
4. DE/OLB Brian Orakpo, Texas
A versatile rush end/outside linebacker prospect with an impressive combination of burst and strength off the edge.
5. DT B.J. Raji, Boston College
After a dominant Senior Bowl performance, Raji jumps to the top of a weak defensive tackle class.
6. CB Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State
Jenkins is the draft’s top corner prospect and should hear his named called sometime during the first 10 picks.
7. OT Andre Smith, Alabama
He showcases great feet and power for his size, but questions remain about his ability to handle the speed of the left side in the NFL.
8. QB Mark Sanchez, USC
Has the physical tools, but it’s his intangibles and competitive demeanor that make him the top quarterback in the draft.
9. OT Michael Oher, Ole Miss
He needs to become more consistent, but it isn’t often that an offensive lineman with this kind of skill set comes along.
10. DE Everette Brown, Florida State
An explosive DE/OLB tweener who showcases the ability to reach the corner and consistently get after the quarterback.
11. QB Matthew Stafford, Georgia
A physical gifted quarterback who has the arm to make all the throws, although his accuracy was inconsistent this season.
12. OT Jason Smith, Baylor
A former tight end who shows great feet and body control in pass protection; showcases the athleticism to handle the left side.
13. LB Brian Cushing, USC
A hard-working, versatile linebacker who has the ability to play inside or outside in either a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme.
14. WR Jeremy Maclin, Missouri
An explosive vertical threat who can consistently get behind defenses and is very dangerous with the ball in his hands.
15. RB Knowshon Moreno, Georgia
An instinctive runner who displays good wiggle and vision at the line of scrimmage, although he might drop on draft day because few teams need running backs.
16. CB D.J. Moore, Vanderbilt
Is a bit undersized but possesses the best closing speed of any corner in the draft and knows how to get after the ball.
17. WR/RB Percy Harvin, Florida
An athletically gifted football player who simply plays at another speed. Is still maturing as a receiver, but is dynamite with the ball in his hands.
18. DT Peria Jerry, Ole Miss
Had a dominant senior season, and after a strong Senior Bowl appears to have solidified a spot as a mid-first-round pick.
19. RB Chris Wells, Ohio State
A big, physical runner with all the tools, but questions remain about his toughness and passion for the game.
20. ILB Rey Maualuga, USC
An inside plugger with good power and pop on contact. Is at his best attacking downhill and making plays in the hole.
21. RB LeSean McCoy, Pittsburgh
Is a bit high cut but displays impressive lateral ability for his size and is the home run threat that NFL teams covet.
22. CB Alphonso Smith, Wake Forest
Smith is the draft’s most natural corner, and if he were three inches taller, he would be considered a top-five prospect. Is very difficult to gain separation from on any level.
23. DE/OLB Aaron Maybin, Penn State
An ultra-productive pass rusher who may need to make the transition to a 3-4 OLB at the next level.
24. WR Hakeem Nicks, North Carolina
A well-built, fluid receiver who gets in and out of his breaks as cleanly as any receiver in the draft. Reminds some scouts of Bengals wideout Chad Johnson.
25. DE Robert Ayers, Tennessee
A one-year starter who has absolutely soared up draft boards. After a dominant Senior Bowl week, he looks like a possible first-round pick.
26. CB Coye Francies, San Jose State
Carried the momentum of a strong senior year into an impressive showing at the Senior Bowl. May have put himself in position as a mid/late-first-round guy.
27. OLB Clay Matthews, USC
Has not received the attention he deserves, but after a strong Senior Bowl week, he is now considered a possible first-round pick.
28. OT Williams Beatty, Connecticut
Has really risen up draft boards in the past year. His combination of foot quickness and length make him an ideal LT prospect.
29. WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland
An intriguing size/speed prospect with the vertical burst to get down the field, but still needs to become a more polished route runner.
30. OT Eben Britton, Arizona
A long, well-built tackle with smooth feet and good body control outside. Lacks any type of explosion to his game, but has the versatility to play on either the right or left side.
31. CB Vontae Davis, Illinois
Has the prototypical size and speed of an elite NFL corner, but he needs to put it all together and become a better technician at the position.
32. ILB James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
Has really slid down draft boards the past couple of months and now looks like more of a late first-round selection.
33. RB Shonn Greene, Iowa
A tough, inside runner with good vision and patience at the line of scrimmage. You know what you’re going to get from him at the next level.
34. C Alex Mack, California
Displays a powerful punch and can anchor down vs. the bull rush. Looks like an ideal power scheme type of center at the next level.
35. WR Juaquin Iglesias, Oklahoma
A natural athlete with the speed to get down the field and the body control to cleanly snap off routes. Plucks the ball well away from his body and was the most consistent receiver at the Senior Bowl last week.
36. TE Shawn Nelson, Southern Miss
A long, natural-looking athlete with great deep speed and the ability to block on the edge.
37. DE Michael Johnson, Georgia Tech
Has the physical skills of a top-five pick but lacks base strength and has never been very productive.
38. CB Sean Smith, Utah
A tall, long-armed defensive back with the ability to play both corner and free safety at the next level.
39. TE Chase Coffman, Missouri
Was unable to compete in the Senior Bowl but is a big-time competitor who catches the ball well down the seam and has a willingness to block.
40. FS Louis Delmas, Western Michigan
A physical free safety prospect who displays good straight-line speed and the fluidity to line up in the slot. Is this year’s top safety prospect.
41. QB Pat White, West Virginia
I simply can’t see this guy getting past the second round, especially with the kind of versatility he can bring to an offense.
42. C Max Unger, Oregon
Struggles with power and the bull rush but is very fluid in space and should excel in a zone-blocking scheme.
43. DT Sen’Derrick Marks, Auburn
An explosive, quick-twitch tackle who knows how to shoot gaps and get up the field. I expect Marks to move up draft boards in the coming weeks.
44. DT Jarron Gilbert, San Jose State
A tall, long-armed tackle with a great first step for his size. Was dominant in the East-West Shrine Game and could play the 3-techinque in a 4-3 or the 5-technique in the 3-4.
45. DE Tyson Jackson, LSU
Isn’t your prototypical rush end, but at 6-4, 295 pounds, he knows how to hold the point of attack and can slip inside on obvious passing situations.
46. WR Derrick Williams, Penn State
Really flashed at times during Senior Bowl practice, but didn’t make many plays during the game. The production simply doesn’t match the skill set.
47. OG Duke Robinson, Oklahoma
A massive guard who can engulf defenders at the point of attack. Is in the mix to be the top guard off the board.
48. DE Paul Kruger, Utah
A long-limbed defensive end prospect with good height and straight-line speed around the edge. Lacks great flexibility but plays with a relentless motor.
49. DT Fili Moala, USC
Displays good natural pass rush ability but doesn’t consistently use his hands and struggles to move laterally. Ideal for a one-gap scheme.
50. DE Larry English, Northern Illinois
Tried to add some weight for the Senior Bowl but looked sluggish off the edge. He struggled redirecting in space and did not have the type of performance that scouts expected.
51. CB Darius Butler, Connecticut
A naturally explosive cover man with good make-up ability and deep speed. Showcases good ball skills and reminds some scouts of Buccaneers corner Phillip Buchanon.
52. TE/DE Connor Barwin, Cincinnati
Is simply a football player. Did well at both TE and DE at the Senior Bowl and is the type of player NFL coaches and GMs adore.
53. WR Kenny Britt, Rutgers
Is a big, physical wideout but doesn’t showcase any kind of explosion out of his breaks. Plays at one speed and will struggle separating at the next level.
54. G/T Herman Johnson, LSU
Got some reps at RT during Senior Bowl week but lacks the flexibility and feet to be effective. Best suited to play guard in a power run scheme.
55. TE James Casey, Rice
A natural football player who lined up all over on offense for Rice. Catches the ball well and knows how to gain separation down the field.
56. DT Evander Hood, Missouri
An explosive tackle who displays good lateral mobility and quickness inside. Lacks great power but never stays blocked for long.
57. OLB Clint Sintim, Virginia
Struggled in space all week at the Senior Bowl and didn’t showcase the type of pass rush ability many scouts expected.
58. ILB Darry Beckwith, LSU
Had a solid Senior Bowl week and appears to have cemented a spot as the third inside linebacker off the board in April.
59. QB Josh Freeman, Kansas State
Will be drafted a lot higher because of his immense physical tools and a weak quarterback class.
60. C Eric Wood, Louisville
A physical center who struggles a bit in space, but once he gets his hands on you, the battle is over.
61. DE David Veikune, Hawaii
An undersized end prospect with a deceptive first step. Showcases good leverage and bend around the corner and knows how to push the pocket outside.
62. TE Jared Cook, South Carolina
A raw tight end prospect who has a lot of developing to do. But he has an impressive combination of size and speed with an upside to warrant a second-round pick.
63. RB Donald Brown, Connecticut
A physical inside runner, but he plays with too high of a pad level. Exposes his body to too many unnecessary hits and reminds some scouts of Raiders RB Justin Fargas.
64. WR Brian Robiskie, Ohio State
A natural receiver who displays good awareness and ball skills. Isn’t real explosive but is a safe third-round selection.
They had to have missed him. They have five TE's in the top-100. Can't believe he's not one of them.
Agree Pettigrew has to be a miss.
Love Duke Robinson. I thought he'd grade higher than 47. Nasty, sticks to his blocks like Jason Smith. An all out beast. I wonder if he could play tackle. If so I'd love to get him in the 2nd RD.
Loadholt was a major disappointment to me even at RT. I wouldn't take him till the 3rd unless our Scouts see something where he can correct his ineffectiveness at pass pro.
Another big disappointment was Graham Harrell. We already have Sean Hill, we don't need another. I had him as a 3rd rounder but we need someone with more arm for a change. He's off my wish list, he looked horrible. I know he ranks real low but Cullen Harper looked good at the Senior Bowl.
Hey guys,
You got it, Pettigrew falls in the 22-27 range. I am not as high on him as some, but no way he gets out of the first round. Good spot!
I think Robinson is more of a 2nd round guy, I was really disappointed he didn't compete at the Senior Bowl, I thought that could really help his stock. Loadholt is a 3rd/4th round guy.
And I am doing a piece on the Senior QB class, I think Harrell still has a lot of work to do, but I will give you a breakdown of why some of his flaws can be helped out at the next level. Some high level scouting in the coming days.
Thanks for reading
I love to see Mitch King finally getting some love. Do you see him getting looks from 3-4 teams or is he viewed strictly as a 3 technique DT? Also did Bradley Fletcher come close to making your list?
Wes,
Loved during Senior Bowl week when you compared guys you were watching to current NFL players you had seen at previous Senior Bowls. You seem to be working quite hard on this beat and was wondering if there was any way you could do a similar comparison with the entire top 100? Certainly it will be difficult, but it'd be a helluva end product once it was done.
Spud:
King isn't ever going to "wow" you in practice, I was actually kind of down on him during the week. But man, once those game lights come on, the kid was awsome. He might be taken later then I have him, but he looks like a heck of a 3-technique to me. As for a 3-4 DE, I dont see it. He is to short armed and struggles when faced up on lineman. His best trait is penetration as a one gapper and is idea for a cover two scheme.
Fletcher is really moving up boards. Kind of a FS/CB tweener but I have him more as a 4th/5th round guy. He is raw but has all the tools. Kind of a poor mans Charles Godfrey.
However, one thing you know you will get from Iowa is hard working football players, both these guys fit the mold.
jarron gilbert over tyson jackson? why wasn't this guy at the Senior bowl?
sorry to nit pick it's actually a great effort wes, alot harder to make a list like this with comments than it is to criticize. this list has been linked in our blog.
Bit:
Hey no worries, nit picking is the job of the readers, you guys are entitled to your opinion and I do enjoy hearing them. I appreciate the feedback and thats what makes this thing work. Also, Thanks a lot for the link on your blog, glad I can help.
Anyway, I REALLY, REALLY liked Gilbert's power and quickness for a guy that is 6-5 at the East West Shrine Game. He is only 280 pounds but I think plays a lot stronger and with more burst off the ball then Jackson.
They are both versatile athletes that can line up at DE in a 3-4, 4-3 or DT in a 4-3 but I just like Gilbert's first step and power more then Jackson's
Thanks again guys and keep the questions, comments disagreements coming, really makes for some good reading.
Wes, I've noticed that you're usually down a bit on Kenny Britt. We'll just have to agree to disagree, but below Derrick Williams and Iglesias is a bit much. I also think that he will run faster than Nicks at the Combine.
Dear Wes,
Dude, thanks for writing draft-related stuff that's not crap. Seems to be three sites that aren't a waste of time: espn.com (but insider costs $), nfl.com, and you guys. I hope you realize that fans can't get enough of this stuff. How about a column with just a one-liner for every player at the Senior Bowl?
XOXO,
Bo
the only problem with mark sanchez is he has only played ONE SEASON OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL, he could be boom or bust so. CAVAET EMPTOR !!!
A few questions, 1) How far do you think Laurinaitis is going to drop in the draft and do you see him having a chance to reclaim that top-15 status? 2) Is there really that big of a difference in Orakpo and Maybin? 3) I can't help but disagree with Pat White at 41, I just don't see him fitting in at quarterback, and he would be a big time project at WR. 4) Finally, what does everyone see in Mark Sanchez... say Bradford comes out this year, would Sanchez even be a first-round pick?
I love following this draft coverage and you do a good job, keep it up!
Jon:
Won't disagree with you about Britt running faster then Nicks. However, Britt really struggles separating down the field. Nicks on the other hand is so fluid, he looks effortless getting in and out of his breaks. That is the difference to me.
Bo: I did a write up on every senior bowl player in the preview. Check that out. But, thanks for the love and keep the suggestions coming, I will need some ideas over the next couple weeks.
Richard: No disagreements here, I just think he has better intangibles and is harder worker on and off the field then Stafford.
JW:
1)Laurinaitis looks like a late first round guy at this stage. He is going to need to run well and have a very strong combine in order to move up draft boards. I don't think he will do it.
2) Orakpo is a 23 year old senior, Maybin is a 20 year old RS Soph. You know what you are getting more with Orakpo. Maybin has a bit more upside but needs to mature physically. I really like Orakpo and just think right now he is the more talented and safer pick.
3) Pat White isn't just a QB, he is an X-factor. The guy is simply to talented not to come off the board by the end of the second round. He can learn some WR, work in the wild cat do a lot of things. He will add a ton of versatility to an NFL offense. Imagine the Dolphins with him running some wildcat...that's scary.
4) They see a weak QB class, Sanchez is coming off a great bowl game. Between him and Stafford, I like Sanchez because of his intangibles more. I am just not a big Stafford fan.
Wes, is it me or does this class have a lot of solid, technically sound WR's as opposed to recent years where everyone was enamored with triangle numbers?
Lombardi talks often about the traits WR's need at the next level and the important of body control, balance and body strength to get off press coverage. I see those traits in spades in prospects like Crabtree, McClin, Nicks, Williams and Iglesius.
I also am starting to really believe that a good Senior Bowl at WR translates well to the NFL. Duane Bowe was the best WR on the field in 2007 and he ended up being the best of that class. Last year, Eddie Royal pushed up his stock like crazy and backed it up with a solid season in Denver.
Players like Heyward-Bey and Britt will run faster in shorts and look better on paper with their triangle numbers, but I don't know if that makes them better receivers.
>I also am starting to really believe that a good Senior Bowl at WR translates well to the NFL. Duane Bowe was the best WR on the field in 2007 and he ended up being the best of that class. Last year, Eddie Royal pushed up his stock like crazy and backed it up with a solid season in Denver.
Lavelle Hawkins had an excellent senior bowl but never broke out (still young, 22 I believe). This year players like WSU Brandon Gibson and SC Kenny McKinley had very solid performances... probably won't be top 100 players but could be great in the league.
How close did Matt Shaughnessy of Wisconsin come to making your list? I see he is on GBN's top 100.
Wes,
Good job with the list. Having seen Greene and King several times, they're definitely worthy of Top 100 spots.
Also, what's your take on Seth Olsen from Iowa and quarterback Joe Ganz from Nebraska and his backfield mate Marlon Lucky?
What about Ramses Barden from Cal poly? Looks a lot better than any of those WRs in the area of 50 to 100.
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Jan 27, 2009
09:53 AM
Brandon Pettigrew, the TE from OSU, doesn't grade out in your top 100? What do you see in him that knocks him down on your draft board?