If Favre comes back, he better stick it out for a full season whether he starts, is a back-up, or gets benched several games into the season.
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There is an abundance of movement from the last list, primarily as a result of interviews, workouts, and more in-depth information from front offices and scouts I gathered while in Indy.
As always, this represents the best players and is not indicative of expected draft slotting. That’s what mock drafts (the 3-rounder coming this weekend!) are for. This is also weighted for a more long-term impact in the NFL, not just guys who can step right in and make a big splash. The balance between proven results and athletic potential is a tricky science, but I tend to give more weight to the former.
1. Chris Long, DE, Virginia--Playing in a 3-4 under former Jets' Coach Al Groh means he’s NFL-ready at a position where many guys need adjustment time.
2. Jake Long, T, Michigan--What’s so bad about being a dominant RT?
3. Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College--The more I watch and listen to him, the more I see Tom Brady.
4. Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas--Rescued his falling stock with an eye-popping 40 time in Indy. I still see high bust potential, though.
5. Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU--would be higher if not for injury concerns, a la Adrian Peterson last year.
6. Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois
7. Ryan Clady, T, Boise State
8. Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
9. Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State--still the best collegiate destructor of screen passes I’ve ever seen.
10. Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon
11. Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida
12. Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas
13. Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville--I still love his upside and has the potential to be the best player in this draft.
14. Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
15. Keith Rivers, LB, USC
16. Limas Sweed, WR, Texas--proven he has the elite speed to go with his great size and strength.
17. Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina
18. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State--small schooler showed he can more than measure up with the big school corners.
19. Branden Albert, G, Virginia
20. Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson
21. Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma
22. Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy
23. Dan Connor, LB, Penn State--reminds me a great deal of my football hero Chris Speilman.
24. Tracy Porter, CB, Indiana--perhaps the best pure cover man in this draft, would be higher if he showed any desire to tackle.
25. Andre Caldwell, WR, Florida
26. Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona
27. James Hardy, WR, Indiana
28. Jeff Otah, T, Pittsburgh--the on-field results haven’t matched his potential quite yet.
29. Quentin Groves, DE, Auburn
30. Chad Henne, QB, Michigan--showing some mobility now that he’s healthy, and his arm/accuracy combo is second to none.
31. Chris Williams, T, Vanderbilt
32. Matt Forte, RB/FB, Tulane
33. Reggie Smith, CB, Oklahoma
34. Sam Baker, T, USC
35. Calais Campbell, DE, Miami FL--has to prove he’s not too tall.
36. Chilo Rachal, G, USC
37. Chris Johnson, RB/KR, East Carolina--the fastest man at the Combine has great proven versatility.
38. Curtis Lofton, LB, Oklahoma
39. Pat Sims, DT, Auburn
40. Kenny Phillips, S, Miami FL
41. Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas
42. Devin Thomas, WR/KR, Michigan State
43. Brandon Flowers, CB, Virginia Tech
44. Gosder Cherilus, T, Boston College
45. Joe Flacco, QB, Delaware--the buzz is beginning to make folks ignore his negatives.
46. Desean Jackson, KR/WR, California--he’s lighter than some cheerleaders and is very hot/cold as a receiver. But when he’s hot, look out!
47. Kevin Smith, RB, Central Florida
48. Lavelle Hawkins, WR, California
49. Erin Henderson, LB, Maryland
50. Dustin Keller, TE, Purdue--workout wonder showed strong receiving skills in college, but can he play between the hashes?
51. Anthony Collins, T, Kansas
52. Lawrence Jackson, DE, USC
53. Early Doucet, WR, LSU
54. John David Booty, QB, USC
55. Earl Bennett, WR, Vanderbilt
56. Beau Bell, LB, UNLV--not the best measurables but has all the instincts and drive a team could want.
57. Marcus Harrison, DT, Arkansas
58. Xavier Adibi, LB, Virginia Tech
59. Jerod Mayo, LB, Tennessee
60. Fred Davis, TE, USC--allegedly the best receiving TE, but his hands looked awful in Indy.
61. Roy Schuening, G, Oregon State
62. Tony Hills, T, Texas
63. Vince Hall, LB, Virginia Tech
64. Phillip Wheeler, LB, Georgia Tech
65. Mike Hart, RB, Michigan
66. John Carlson, TE, Notre Dame--his 40 time really limits his upside, but he’s still the only one of the top 5 TE's who has shown any ability to block.
67. Eddie Royal, WR, Virginia Tech
68. Jason Jones, DE, Eastern Michigan--take the “Eastern” away and he’d contend for a 1st round pick, but it’s a big hill to climb from one of the worst programs in the country.
69. Martellus Bennett, TE, Texas A&M
70. Geno Hayes, LB, Florida State
71. Kellen Davis, TE, Michigan State--converted DE should progress quickly.
72. DaJuan Morgan, S, NC State
73. Jamaal Charles, RB, Texas
74. Martin Rucker, TE, Missouri
75. Jordon Dizon, LB, Colorado--superb instincts and lateral quickness make up for a lot.
76. Chevis Jackson, CB, LSU
77. Donnie Avery, WR, Houston--very reminiscent of Devery Henderson.
78. John Greco, G, Toledo
79. Patrick Lee, CB, Auburn
80. Ray Rice, RB, Rutgers--not fast enough to get away with his stop/start move in the NFL.
81. Eric Young, G, Tennessee
82. Mario Manningham, WR, Michigan
83. Alvin Bowen, LB, Iowa State
84. Duane Brown, T, Virginia Tech
85. Andre Fluellen, DE, Florida State
86. Andre Woodson, QB, Kentucky--slow at route progressions, even slower delivery, but could blossom with the right coaching.
87. Carl Nicks, T, Nebraska
88. Josh Barrett, S, Arizona State
89. Jordy Nelson, WR/KR, Kansas State
90. Red Bryant, DT, Texas A&M
91. Justin King, CB, Penn State--showed at the Combine why he was considered a top 25 talent last summer.
92. Paul Hubbard, WR, Wisconsin--overlooked due to injuries but has legit potential to be a very good NFL WR.
93. Trevor Laws, DT, Notre Dame
94. Harry Douglas, WR, Louisville
95. Athyba Rubin, DT, Iowa State
96. Kirk Barton, OL, Ohio State
97. Shawn Crable, DE/OLB, Michigan
98. Terrell Thomas, CB, USC
99. Brad Cottam, TE, Tennessee
100. Jack Williams, CB, Kent State--undersized blazer who knows how to play physical coverage.
