Defensive ends
1. Mathias Kiwanuka, Boston College
Finished tied for fifth nationally with 11.5 sacks as a junior in 2004. If he continues to get bigger and stronger, Kiwanuka could be a top-10 pick in 2006.
2. Loren Howard, Northwestern
Had trouble staying healthy in 2004, but is primed for a bounce-back season as a senior. Rare combination of size and athleticism makes him first-round material.
3. Mario Williams*, NC State
A fast-rising junior with a great frame (6-7, 265) and above average athletic ability. If he has a strong 2005 campaign, it could be off to the NFL.
4. Eric Henderson, Georgia Tech
Injuries hampered Henderson in 2004, but he's a big-time prospect with the athletic ability, strength and instincts to have a huge season as a senior.
5. Baraka Atkins, Miami-FL
Has a good blend of size and speed. Led the Hurricanes with five sacks in 2004, but has yet to reach his full potential.
Others:
Manny Lawson, N.C State; Manase Hopoi, Washington; Javon Nanton, Miami-Fla.; Parys Haralson, Tennessee; Mitchell Crossley, Bowling Green; Darryl Tapp, Virginia Tech; Frostee Rucker, USC; Moe Thompson, South Carolina; Devan Long, Oregon; Patrick Massey, Michigan; James Wyche, Syracuse; Kyle Morgon, UCLA; Mike Williams, Texas; Leon Moore, UNLV;
Defensive tackles
1. Rodrique Wright, Texas
Failed to live up to the hype in 2004, but has the physical tools to bust out as a senior next season. If he can improve his technique and motor, Wright can be the first DT off the board in 2006.
2. Gabe Watson, Michigan
Massive DT/NT prospect had a breakout season in 2004 and should only continue to improve with more experience as a senior. Could be a high selection for a team in search of a 3-4 nose tackle in next year's draft.
3. Orien Harris, Miami-Fla.
Has first-round tools but disappeared as a junior last season. At a crossroads right now; needs to recharge the motor and improve his technique as a senior.
4. Haloti Ngata, Oregon
Considered leaving after his junior season, but made the wise decision to return to Eugene, Ore., in 2005. Has a great combo of size, strength and quickness, but needs to improve his technique and recognition skills.
5. LeKevin Smith, Nebraska
Last-minute decision to return to school should pay off. Smith lacks elite size but has the quickness, toughness and strength to become an impact interior defensive lineman in the NFL. He has experience as a DT and NT, as well as in a one-gap and two-gap scheme.
Others:
Manuel Wright*, USC; Claude Wroten, LSU; Gerald Anderson, Georgia; Jesse Mahelona, Tennessee; Dusty Dvoracek, Oklahoma; Anthony Montgomery, Minnesota; Kyle Williams, LSU; Johnny Jolly, Texas A&M; Barry Cofield, Northwestern; Mark Losli, Minnesota; Montavious Stanley, Louisville; Kedric Golston, Georgia; Jonathan Lewis, Virginia Tech;
Inside linebackers
1. Ahmad Brooks*, Virginia
Brooks is my preseason top-rated defensive prospect. He has all the physical tools and has been terrifically coached by former NFL linebacker guru Al Groh. Brooks should be a top-five selection in the 2006 draft.
2. A.J. Hawk, Ohio State
Hawk could probably play inside or weak-side linebacker in the NFL. He is one of the most instinctive and toughest linebackers in college football. Questions regarding his speed were also answered when scouts timed his 40-yard dash in the 4.5s during his spring workout on campus.
3. Abdul Hodge, Iowa
A complete prospect with size, strength, athleticism, instincts and tackling skills. Projects as a top-five linebacker in the 2006 class.
4. D'Qwell Jackson, Maryland
Jackson emerged as an elite collegiate linebacker as a sophomore in 2003, and didn't disappoint with 124 tackles as a junior last season. Undersized, he might need to move outside in the NFL, but if he continues to improve on his production as a senior, Jackson should be a shoo-in as a day one pick in next year's draft.
5. Freddie Roach, Alabama
Roach lacks ideal speed and athletic ability, but he's instinctive and tough versus the run. He projects as either an inside linebacker or strong-side linebacker in the NFL, likely as a late-day one draft selection.
Others:
Roger McIntosh, Miami-Fla.; Anthony Schlegel, Ohio State; Kai Parham*, Virginia; Kevin Simon, Tennessee; Aaron Harris, Texas; Chad Anderson, Kentucky; Ray Henderson, Boston College; Leon Williams, Miami-Fla.; Gabe Toomey, Kansas; Anthony Jordan, Toledo; Ricardo Hurley, South Carolina;
Chad Greenway is a natural run stopper with the potential to be an effective pass rusher.Outside linebackers
1. Chad Greenway, Iowa
He lacks ideal bulk and is more effective working forward and laterally than he is turning and running in coverage. However, Greenway is strong and physical versus the run. He can take on blocks and shows great instincts in run support. He also has the speed to be an effective pass rusher at the next level.
2. Ernie Sims*, Florida State
Sims is an ornery defender with a mean streak unmatched in college football right now. He needs to add bulk to his frame in order to project as a linebacker in the NFL, which is why there's a good chance the 2005 season won't be his last in Tallahassee.
3. H.B. Blades*, Pittsburgh
Another in the long line of Blades with NFL tools. H.B. led the Panthers with 108 tackles last season and will be back to wreak havoc as a junior in 2005. He lacks ideal height (5-11), but is well-built (245 pounds) and athletic. He also hits like a truck.
4. LaMarr Woodley*, Michigan
A DE/OLB tweener who would fit best as a rush linebacker in the NFL. Coming off a huge sophomore season with 16 tackles for loss. If he can improve on that production in 2005, the NFL might call his name.
5. Will Derting, Washington State
Overachiever with versatility. He has experience inside and outside. Has the recognition skills, quickness and toughness to develop into a starting MLB in the NFL. Also has the instincts and burst to provide pass rush help.
Others:
Paul Posluszny*, Penn State; DeMeco Ryans, Alabama; Spencer Havner, UCLA; Omar Gaither, Tennessee; Terna Nande, Miami-Ohio; Dustin Williams, Kentucky; A.J. Nicholson, Florida State; Pierre Woods, Michigan; Bobby Carpenter, Ohio State; Travis Williams, Auburn; Gerris Wilkerson, Georgia Tech; Cameron Vaughn, LSU; Nick Reid, Kansas; Dennis Burke, Middle Tennessee State; Lance Laury, South Carolina; Dallas Sartz, USC; John Saldi, Texas Tech; Brandon Johnson, Louisville; Derrick White, Georgia; Kellen Pruitt, Syracuse;
Cornerback
1. Antonio Cromartie*, Florida State
Cromartie has better speed and athleticism than former teammate Bryant McFadden, who was selected by the Steelers in the second round of the 2005 NFL draft. Cromartie has such good athleticism, speed and ball skills (4 INTs in 2004), the 'Noles are giving him some reps at wide receiver during spring ball.
2. Jimmy Williams, Virginia Tech
Williams was overshadowed by senior secondary-mates Vincent Fuller and Eric Green last season, but he clearly was the most talented of the group and finished with a team-high five interceptions. Williams will get his due respect in 2005 when opposing quarterbacks avoid him like the plague. Williams has the potential to develop into a shutdown cover corner in the NFL, which is why he projects as a first-round draft pick in 2006.
3. Devin Hester*, Miami-Fla.
One of the most explosive and versatile weapons in college football. He led the Hurricanes in interceptions and also returned three punts and one kickoff for touchdowns in 2004.
4. William Blackmon, Boston College
Blackmon has explosive speed and is one of the most impressive all-around athletes in the 2006 draft class. He has spent most of his collegiate days at cornerback and as a return specialist, but there's a good chance that Blackmon moves full time to the wide receiver position in 2005.
5. Darrell Hunter, Miami-Ohio
Hunter is flying under the radar right now and is not likely to get picked on much as a senior in 2005, with Alphonso Hodge's moving on to the NFL. However, Hunter racked up six interceptions over the course of the last two seasons and is known as the fastest player in his program's history, as he was clocked at 4.29 in the 40-yard dash.
Others:
Kelly Jennings, Miami-FL; Charlie Peprah, Alabama; Alan Zemaitis, Penn State; Tye Hill, Clemson; Chikioke Onyenegeecha, Oklahoma; Leon Hall*, Michigan; Cedric Griffen, Texas; Ashton Youboty*, Ohio State; Donnie McClesky, Cal; Eric Bassey, Oklahoma; Leroy Smith, Florida State; Harrison Smith, Cal; Travis Johnson, Ole Miss; Josh Lay, Pittsburgh; Calvin Washington, Missouri; Shannon James, Massachusetts; Jacob Elimimian, San Diego State; Jovon Johnson, Iowa; Willie Smith, Marshall; Antwan Allen, Iowa;
Safeties
1. LaRon Landry*, LSU
Landry wasted little time transitioning to the collegiate level, as he took over as a full-time starter during his true freshman season in 2003 and became a vital cog on a Tigers' defense that led the team to a BCS national title. Landry is a versatile playmaker with above average range in coverage and exceptional strength and tackling skills in run support. Should he elect to leave school after the 2005 season, Landry will likely be the first safety drafted in 2006.
2. Darnell Bing, USC*
Bing is a standout safety prospect with the versatility to play in the box and deep down the middle in the NFL. He has excellent size and fills hard in run support. What he lacks in terms of top-end speed he makes up for with instincts and ball skills in coverage.
3. Jason Allen, Tennessee
Allen reversed his decision to turn pro at the eleventh hour. While he would have been a day-one selection, his stock should only rise with another year at the collegiate level. Allen is athletic and tough, but the DC/FS tweener needs to become more consistent in his reads and as an open-field tackler.
4. Michael Huff, Texas
Huff benefited from his 2004 move from cornerback to safety, where he is able to mask his lack of elite hip fluidity, while highlighting his instincts and toughness. If Huff continues to thrive at the safety position as a senior, he'll solidify a spot on day one of next year's draft.
5. Nate Salley, Ohio State
Salley is a centerfielder-type free safety with adequate size, good range and developing ball skills. If he can become more consistent as an open-field tackler in 2005, Salley's chances of getting drafted on the first day of next year's draft will be good.
Others:
Greg Threat, Miami-Fla.; Greg Blue, Georgia; Donte Whinter*, Ohio State; Kedrick Alexander, Tulsa; Wesley Smith, Memphis; Jahmile Addae, West Virginia; Marcus Demps, San Diego State; Jerrad Page, UCLA; Daniel Bullocks, Nebraska; Jamaal Fudge, Clemson; Cam Hall, Boise State; Will Gulley, Houston; Darren Williams, Mississippi State (X); Jaxson Appel, Texas A&M; Mike Lorello, West Virginia; Roman Harper, Alabama; Kelvin Robinson, Ole Miss;
Kickers
Connor Hughes, Virginia; Mason Crosby, Colorado; Ben Jones, Purdue; Todd Peagram, Texas A&M;
Punters
Tom Malone, USC; Ryan Plackemeier, Wake Forest; Brandon Fields, Michigan State; Joel Stelly, Louisiana-Monroe; Daniel Sepulveda, Baylor
http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=mcshay_todd&id=2049957&CMP=ILC-INHEAD
Can you see tonights lotto numbers.
that was some funny stuff right there, that one got me laughin
