With the NFL Draft two days away, it’s about that time to release our 2nd Annual ranking of the top 13 prospects in this year’s class. Last year’s rankings saw RB Reggie Bush, DE Mario Williams and QB Vince Young taking the 1, 2, and 3 spots, respectively, in our rankings. Subsequently Bush was taken 2nd, Williams 1st and Young 3rd in the draft, so NFL officials saw it relatively similar to how we did. (To see the entire article check out the previous issues in PDF format - see the April 2006 issue)

This year we take another stab at locating the guys who will be studs:

13. TE Greg Olsen (Miami) 6′6″ 255 4.53 Forty

12. CB Darrelle Revis (PIT) 5′11″ 196 4.41 Forty

11. RB Marshawn Lynch (CAL) 5′11″ 215 4.51 Forty

10. CB Leon Hall (Michigan) 5′11″ 193 4.42 Forty

9. DT Amobi Okoye (Louisville) 6′2″ 301

8. FS LaRon Landry (LSU) 6′0″ 213 4.38 Forty

7. LB Patrick Willis (Ole Miss) 6′1″ 237 4.39 Forty

6. DE Gaines Adams (Clemson) 6′5″ 260 4.67 Forty

5. RB Adrian Peterson (Oklahoma) 6′2″ 217 4.41 Forty - Peterson is a big, fast, physical running back with great feet, essentially a prototype physical specimen for the position.  The guy went to Oklahoma, a Big-12 powerhouse, and started as a freshman, running for ridiculous numbers.  Simply put, not many guys can do that.  If not for a history of worrisome injuries, Peterson would likely be the second or third rated prospect in the draft on this chart.  Along with injury issues, AP also runs with an upright style and may need to adjust to the bruising NFL style.  His speed, burst, balance, vision and explosion should help him with that transition, however.  Additionally, Peterson showed off tremendous hands at his pro day and likely could take a number of dump offs or screens for big gains at the next level.  If Peterson can stay healthy he has the potential to be a perennial Pro Bowler.

4. QB Brady Quinn (Notre Dame) 6′4″ 232 - Quinn is a big, athletic, strong, heady QB prospect with lots of big-time college experience. Although he lacks the accuracy you would hope to get out of a top-5 QB selection, his size, leadership, work ethic and intangibles move him very high up the charts. It is rare indeed to find a prospect with his experience, size and athleticism combo. Quinn was tutored for two years by offensive guru Charlie Weis while at Notre Dame. Weis played a key role in the development of stud QB Tom Brady in New England. Based on Quinn’s size, athleticism and work ethic, the kid has a lot going for him, but he will need to overcome the knock that he freezes up on the big stage at key times. Quinn is a legitimate starting QB prospect at the NFL level and a guy who a team can build around.

3. OT Joe Thomas (Wisconsin) 6′7″ 311 - Thomas is huge, nimble and powerful with a good head on his shoulders, great technique and admirable personal drive. His combination of size, athleticism and positive, workmanlike approach to the craft of playing left tackle is very rare. Thomas plays the premium left tackle position, shielding most QBs’ blind side, therefore pitting himself in the top handful of players who will be drafted. Thomas presents little downside risk and should be the type of player who will bring leadership and competitiveness to a locker room. His length and athleticism are prototypes for the left tackle position. As long as he overcomes doubts about his ability to drive block against stronger edge defenders, he will be snapped up in the very early portion of the draft and likely have a long and successful career as a bookend left tackle.

2. QB JaMarcus Russell (LSU) 6′5″ 265 - Perhaps the most impressive complete throwing ability of any prospect within the last ten years, Russell can throw every pass in the playbook. Russell has the ability to heave the ball deep but, more importantly, he can throw the ball on a dime 20 yards downfield anywhere from sideline to sideline. His passes look like lasers, but he can also throttle down and throw accurate touch passes to the flat or across the middle. His passing ability will open up an entire playbook, while the only limitation will be his ability to digest his reads and execute on game day. Russell is not a scrambler or burner, but he has better-than-average mobility and can make plays with his feet outside of the pocket. Has shown ability to step up when it counts with eight career fourth quarter come from behind victories. The team that drafts him will need to bring him along effectively and eliminate negative tendencies to maximize their investment.

1. WR Calvin Johnson (Georgia Tech) 6′5″ 235 4.37 Forty -Perhaps the most impressive WR prospect ever, Johnson is similar to Reggie Bush from last year in that he has a combination of talents that make him a once-in-a-decade prospect at his position. Johnson is huge, very fast, extremely explosive, can out-jump anyone on the field and has strong hands to high point the ball. He can certainly make the acrobatic catch. He is big and physical and, with proper tutelage and the right coaching, could become a very good blocker at the WR position, an undervalued trait. Johnson will make any QB he plays with look better. Has great character and is a quiet leader similar to Marvin Harrison - he leads by example. He is similar to Randy Moss and Terrell Owens in terms of talent level, but without the headaches and baggage. The only thing potentially keeping him from being the top pick is that he plays WR, a position highly dependent upon the rest of the team around him, especially the QB.

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