Taking Closer Look at NFL Draft's Top 64 Prospects

[bengaldee]

1. Reggie Bush, RB, Southern Cal, 5-foot-11, 201 pounds, 4.42 in 40

Ran away with Heisman Trophy just as he ran away from almost everybody who tried to catch him. Elusive, electrifying runner/returner with good hands and good-bye speed. Finished tenth in NCAA Division 1-A history with 6,551 all-purpose yards. Startling stats -- 3,169 yards and 25 touchdowns on 433 carries (7.3 avg); 1,301 yards, 13 TDs on 95 catches; 67 kickoffs for 1,522 yards with one TD and added 559 yards and three scores on 44 punt returns.

2. D'Brickashaw Ferguson, OT, Virginia, 6-6, 312, 5.26

Agile, athletic and able to add even more bulk to his lanky frame, which will be necessary if he wants cope with the bigger, stronger NFL defenders. Uses long arms and leverage well, but aggression was a question until he manhandled top-rated players in the Sr. Bowl practices. Projects as a pass-protecting left tackle, where he played his entire college career.

3. Mario Williams, DE, North Carolina State, 6-7, 295, 4.70

An offensive tackle's worst nightmare - huge, quick, nimble, strong. Wingspan of a condor helped him knock down passes and quarterbacks. After slow start in 2005, finished strong with 13 sacks. Athletic underclassman who should be phenomenal when he learns the nuances of his position.

4. Matt Leinart, QB, Southern Cal, 6-5, 223, 4.90

Might have been the No. 1 pick in last year's draft after winning Heisman Trophy, but returned to try for a third consecutive National Championship and missed by one game, leaving his college career record as a starter at 37-2. Mobile left-hander with great accuracy, good touch, extraordinary leadership skills. Slight concerns over left elbow surgery last spring because scouts must find something to worry about.

5. Jay Cutler, QB, Vanderbilt, 6-3, 226, 4.77

Fiery competitor who was perhaps too willing to put himself in harm's way in order to make a play and took a beating during a college career in which he was sacked 64 times. But his go-for-it style has been compared to that of Brett Favre, and scouts were impressed with his play during Sr. Bowl practices.

6. Vernon Davis, TE, Maryland, 6-3, 254, 4.38

Deep-threat tight end with unusually good feel for getting open. Explodes off the line (has done a 40-inch vertical jump) and will cause matchup problems with his size/speed ratio. Aggressive receiver with soft hands, caught 51 passes for 871 yards and six touchdowns last season. Was a workout sensation at Indy combine benching 225 pounds 33 times, soared 42 inches on vertical jump and clocked 4.38 seconds in 40 yards.

7. A.J. Hawk, OLB, Ohio State, 6-1, 248, 4.51

Tenacious tackling machine. Has instincts that can't be taught and a motor that doesn't quit. Disruptive blitzer, efficient pass defender and sometimes seems impossible to block. Expected to start and star immediately as a pro. Led Buckeyes in tackling three years and was Big Ten defensive MVP last season after collecting 121 tackles -- 16.5 for a loss, including 9.5 sacks.
8. Haloti Ngata, DT, Oregon, 6-4, 338, 5.02

Immovable mountain of a man with uncanny natural strength. Ability to be as good as he wants, but must keep weight under control. One of three finalists for Outland Trophy (Nation's top defensive lineman) and among top five finalists for Bronko Nagurski Trophy (Nation's outstanding defensive player).

9. Brodrick Bunkley, DT, Florida State, 6-3, 306, 5.01

Great natural all-around ability, but inconsistent performances are reflected by diverse opinions on his pro potential. Led nation's DL's with 18 tackles for a loss, including seven sacks, but was not even named to All-ACC first team.

10. LenDale White, RB, Southern Cal, 6-1, 238, 4.49

No-nonsense, north-south runner with enough toughness and tenacity to plow over people and enough speed to run around and away from them. He was the thunder in the USC backfield that featured Reggie Bush as lightning. Not a complete back in terms of being natural receiver or consistent pass blocker.

11. Vince Young, QB, Texas, 6-5, 229, 4.48

Impressive 30-2 career record as a starting quarterback and a National Championship last season when he displayed his many skills to beat USC. Exceptional size, athleticism and leadership are obvious, but lacks technique that scouts like to see in quarterbacks. Footwork, throwing motion, release point all need work. Sensational athlete is a project at quarterback and might have helped himself by working out at Indy so coaches could see if he is also versatile enough to play someplace other than QB.

12. Michael Huff, SS, Texas, 6-0, 204, 4.34

Versatile athlete who can help a defense immediately from at any defensive secondary spot. Track speed, but a football player in every sense of the word. Consistent open field tackler. Instinctive playmaker who last season collected 97 tackles, nine for a loss, 14 passes knocked down, one interception, two sacks, four forced fumbles, one fumble recovery for a TD and a blocked FG.

13. Jason Allen, FS, Tennessee, 6-1, 209, 4.34

Skyrocketed back into first-round territory when he quieted concerns about his injured hip. He had one of the more dominant showings at the Combine. A possible top ten pick before the injury, Allen finished among leaders in 40 yards (4.39 seconds), short shuttle (3.83) and vertical jump (39.5 inches).

14. Kamerion Wimbley, DE, Florida State, 6-4, 248, 4.61

Classic speed rusher whose production against elite competition has scouts intrigued. Performed well throughout the Senior Bowl week and enjoyed success against two of the top ranked offensive tackles in D'Brickashaw Ferguson (4 tackles, including two sacks) and Eric Winston (5 tackles, 4 pressures, 1 sack) during the regular season.

15. Tye Hill, CB, Clemson, 5-10, 184, 4.34

Track star is probably fastest DB in draft and is developing excellent coverage skills. Short but explosive former prep running back (averaged 200 yards per game as senior). Helped hold Colorado QB Brian White to 81 yards passing in the Citrus Bowl, then impressed scouts at Sr. Bowl.

16. Santonio Holmes, WR, Ohio State, 5-11, 188, 4.45

Quicker than he is fast, but is a home run threat despite lack of big numbers in conservative college offense. Has room to add bulk to lanky frame. Started 26 of 36 games he played in college, finished career with 140 catches, 2,295 yards, 25 touchdowns, 38 punt returns for 385 yards (1 TD), and 22.5-yard average on 19 kickoff returns.

17. Ernie Sims, OLB, Florida State, 5-11, 231, 4.50

Undersized, but athletic and instinctive outside linebacker whose production and speed has earned comparisons to former Seminole great Derrick Brooks. Started the past 24 consecutive games for Florida State, racking up 158 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, and 7 sacks.

18. Jimmy Williams, CB, Virginia Tech, 6-3, 213, 4.42

Former prep quarterback, safety, wide receiver, outside linebacker may give some pro team a choice of whether to play him at corner or safety. Has coverage ability to be a top cover corner and size, physicality to be a safety. Very self-confident and mentally tough.

19. Laurence Maroney, RB, Minnesota, 6-0, 217, 4.55

Could be a star in the right system. Not dazzling as an elusive runner, but has exceptional one-cut-and-go ability. Hasn't been required to do much as a blocker or receiver, although he did catch 21 passes for 170 yards last season while rushing for 1,524 yards on 5.4 yards per carry.

20. Chad Jackson, WR, Florida, 6-1, 213, 4.32

Blazing through 40 yards in 4.32 seconds at Indy certainly made Jackson a standout in a position that is unusually light on talent this year. Two-year starter and Biletnikoff Award semifinalist. Came into his own as a junior, proving to be an effective runner on reverses and a clutch short area pass catcher.

21. Winston Justice, OT, USC, 6-6, 319, 5.16

Returned to right tackle after being suspended for the entire 2004 season due to off-field behavior that included pointing a pellet gun at a student and solicitation of a prostitute. Protected southpaw QB Matt Leinart's blind side. Credits accomplished boxing coach, Freddie Roach, for improved footwork and hand placement.

22. Johnathan Joseph, CB, South Carolina, 5-11, 193, 4.31

Some team may take him higher based on upside. Played only one season of D-I football after starring at Coffeyville Junior College then missing almost all of 2004 with broken foot. Flashed greatness in all aspects last season and could gain more attention as a workout wonder.

23. Donte Whitner, SS, Ohio State, 5-10, 204, 4.40

Lacks great size for the position, but is an instinctive, physical player who some compare to former All-American Mike Doss, now a standout performer for the Indianapolis Colts. Came to Ohio State as a highly-touted prep cornerback, but saw the field early as a strong safety and hasn't come off the field since.

24. Tamba Hali, DE, Penn State, 6-3, 275, 4.75

Physical and mental toughness that may track all the way back to when, as a ten-year-old native Liberian, he fled his civil war-torn country for the U.S. Started at defensive tackle as an 18-year old freshmen, moved to defensive end as a junior. Looked great at Sr. Bowl, collecting two sacks.

25. Chad Greenway, OLB, Iowa, 6-3, 242, 4.76

An aggressive, instinctive, every-down linebacker. Must improve his lower body strength to take on NFL players, but is athletic enough to cover backs and tight ends. Shows ability to read and react and foreclose on more than his share of plays.

26. DeAngelo Williams, RB, Memphis, 5-09, 214, 4.49

Short but not small as he plays big, runs hard and is compact and efficient. His career total of 6,026 yards rushing puts him in the D1-A's exclusive 6,000-yard club with only Tony Dorsett, Ricky Williams and Ron Dayne. However, durability is a question after broken leg in 2004, torn MCL in 2003 and sprained knee in 2002.

27. Sinorice Moss, WR, Miami, 5-08, 185, 4.38

Some similarities to brother Santana Moss, a Pro Bowl player (Washington Redskins). Little guy with speed to burn. Started eight games as flanker last season and led team with 32 catches, 554 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Dangerous as returner.

28. Alan Zemaitis, CB, Penn State, 6-1, 194, 4.51

Big, muscular, aggressive player who played well off receivers in college and showed enough ball-reaction instinct to be effective. Seems to lack agility and turn-and-go speed to play press coverage in NFL so scouts may project him as a safety.

29. Nick Mangold, C, Ohio State, 6-4, 300, 5.05

Listed by NFLDraftScout.com as the elite center prospect entering this season, and his performance at the Senior Bowl and Indy Combine caught the attention of those who had previously overlooked him.

30. Abdul Hodge, ILB, Iowa, 6-1, 236, 4.76

Lacks size, but is considered the draft's top inside linebacker due to a combination of instincts, speed, and physicality. Broke the record for most tackles in each of Iowa's past two bowl games, with 19 tackles in the 2006 Outback Bowl versus Florida and 16 in the 2005 Capital One Bowl against LSU.

31. Manny Lawson, OLB, NC State, 6-6, 241, 4.43

Despite the fact that teammate Mario Williams is widely considered a top-seven selection, it was Lawson who was selected the team's Most Valuable Defensive Lineman in 2005. And it was Lawson, at 6-6, 241, who grabbed more attention by running 40 yards in only 4.43 at Indy. Registered 58 tackles (33 solos) with 10.5 sacks and 19.5 stops for losses, 21 pressures, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

32. Marcus McNeill, OT, Auburn, 6-8, 336, 5.07

First-round talent, but hasn't played with the consistency teams are looking for in an elite prospect. As the blind-side protector for first-round pick Jason Campbell in 2004, McNeill showed superior athleticism for his monstrous frame. Has been diagnosed with spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal column).