DEFENSIVE ENDS (POS GRADE: ABOVE AVERAGE)
- Shawne Merriman (Maryland) � Often compared to Lavar Arrington, DE/OLB tweener getting plenty of hype with his athleticism (41 � vertical) and passion.
- David Pollack (Georgia) � Another high-energy guy whose stock has slid on some mocks but is now rising in others. Some have overanalyzed him in the last year, should go early.
- DeMarcus Ware (Troy) � High on the list of teams playing 3-4 schemes.
- Matt Roth (Iowa) � Yet another high-twitch non-stop motor.
- Marcus Spears (LSU) � Finished product, but slow 40-time.
- Erasmus James (Wisconsin) � Concerns over mysterious 2003 hip injury could cause him to slide.
- Dan Cody (Oklahoma) � Still questions about his personality after leave of absence from OU team a few years back.
- Chris Canty (Virginia) � Not great speed, but can�t coach 6�7 ��, best run-stopper in the group.
- Justin Tuck (Notre Dame) � Another DE/OLB tweener.
- Bill Swancutt (Oregon St.) � Good, but not great prospect.
- Jovan Haye (Vanderbilt) � Has gained 30 lbs in the last year, but is still considered inconsistent.
- George Gause (South Carolina) - Large wingspan, also a DE/OLB tweener.
- Jim Davis (Virginia Tech) � Dissapointment in Blacksburg, but has a knack for knocking down passes and field goal attempts.
- Eric Moore (Florida St.) � Underachieved at FSU but has athletic ability. Suffers from A-D-D and didn't score well on the Wonderlic.
- Ryan Riddle (California) � Pac-10 observers draw comparisons to Tedy Bruschi.
- Simon Frasor (Ohio St.) � Has a college named after him in British Columbia - really!!!.
- Tyler King (UConn) � Scouts say he'd make a better linebacker, but he goes 6'6".
- Marcus White (Murray St.) - Not even on most boards, but Frank Coyle ranks him #10 among defensive ends, citing his measurables as 6'4" 290 with a 4.8 clocking.
- Marques Harris (Southern Utah) - Colorado transfer has battled back from two broken bones in his leg.
- John Denney (BYU) � Older brother also a DE in the league, did well against the run and pass at the Hula Bowl.
DEFENSIVE TACKLES (POS GRADE: BELOW AVERAGE)
- Travis Johnson (Florida St.) � Disruptive one-gap force.
- Luis Castillo (Northwestern) � Stock has soared since end of season.
- Shaun Cody (USC) � A DE/DT tweener, is getting picked apart right now after lackluster workout � �party� attitude also being scrutinized.
- Mike Patterson (USC) � Had better game than Shaun Cody at Orange Bowl.
- Anttaj Hawthorne (Wisconsin) � Good pocket collapser but tires too easily.
- Jonathan Babineaux (Iowa) � Little small for position, has been dogged by injuries.
- C.J. Mosely (Missouri) � One-gap specialist rising up some boards.
- Atiyyah Ellison (Missouri) � Played all over the line, including end and NT during college career.
- Jason Jefferson (Wisconsin) � Badgers with a draft bonanza on both the O and D-lines.
- Alfred King (Troy) - DeMarcus Ware probably won't be the only Troy Trojan to get a draft day call, King upped his stock with a strong Hula Bowl showing.
- Albert Means (Memphis) � Subject of recruiting scandal that got Alabama in trouble, has been labeled an underachiever.
OUTSIDE BACKERS (POS GRADE: ABOVE AVERAGE)
- Derrick Johnson (Texas) � Some were disappointed in his bowl game, but outstanding workouts re-established him as a top-ten overall pick.
- Darryl Blackstock (Virginia) � Plays all over the field.
- Kevin Burnett (Tennessee) � Still good speed despite 2002 knee injury.
- Michael Boley (Southern Miss) � Capable of changing a game with his sideline-to-sideline ability, as he did in the New Orleans Bowl.
- Rian Wallace (Temple) � A tackling machine, and got plenty of practice with it at Temple.
- Jonathan Goddard (Marshall) � Is only 6� even, has played DE.
- Roger Cooper (Montana St.) � Instinctive and knows how to make tackles.
- Leroy Hill (Clemson) � Undersized, but good at rushing and dropping back in coverage. Could project as a good special-teamer.
- Ryan Claridge (UNLV) � Four-year starter, but stock has dropped.
- Zac Woodfin (UAB) � Knows how to play, but limited potential.
- Derek Wake (Penn St.) � Hasn�t been the same since 2001 knee injury.
- Brady Poppinga (BYU) � Hard-worker has played all over the front seven.
INSIDE BACKERS (POS GRADE: AVERAGE)
- Channing Crowder (Florida) � Best talent at the position, but a character risk.
- Odell Thurman (Georgia) � Came out early to support family, questions about whether his totals were the product of playing with an elite defense.
- Barrett Ruud (Nebraska) � Is in the mix on nearly every play.
- Lance Mitchell (Oklahoma) � A top prospect before 2003 knee injury.
- Kirk Morrison (San Diego St.) � Productive, high caliber player � but not great numbers.
- Boomer Grigsby (Illinois St.) � We know he�s popular, most webhits out of any player profile on NFLDRAFT05.COM.
- Mike Goolsby (Notre Dame) � Intense player who has battled shoulder problems.
- Robert McCune (Louisville) � Older player who served time in the Persian Gulf.
- Lofa Tatupu (USC) � Has a chance to be an outstanding special-teamer like his dad, that�s not a knock.
- Pat Thomas (NC State) � Non-stop motor, but struggles speed-wise.
- Marcus Lawrence (South Carolina) � Another big-time tackler who is not fast.
- Alfred Fincher (Connecticut) � Is zooming up some boards.
- Liam Ezekial (Northeastern) - Stands to be be the first Northeastern player selected in over 25 years, and could go as high as the fourth round.
CORNERBACKS (POS GRADE: EXCELLENT)
- Antrel Rolle (Miami) � Still has to be considered the best of a talented group.
- Carlos Rogers (Auburn) - Wowed at a recent workout.
- Adam Jones (West Virginia) � Fast and aggressive, but undersized and overhyped.
- Corey Webster (LSU) � Great leaping ability, specializes in man coverage.
- Justin Miller (Clemson) � Like Adam Jones, return skills enhance his value.
- Marlin Jackson (Michigan) � Returned to corner after an unhappy year at safety.
- Fabian Washington (Nebraska) � Blew a 4.28 at the combine.
- Bryant McFadden (Florida St.) � Grades high in run support.
- Brandon Browner (Oregon St.) � Physical force who passes the eyeball test at 6�3� � could be moved to safety.
- Antonio Perkins (Oklahoma) � Best remembered for returning three punts for scores in one game.
- Ronald Bartell (Howard) � Small school prospect has measurables, but was schooled by the big-school boys in the All-Star games and could be moved to safety.
- Eric Green (Virginia Tech) � Experienced but lacks run support skills.
- Darrent Williams (Oklahoma St.) � Can't ignore the sub 4.3 speed, but is 5'9" 175 soaking wet.
- Stanford Routt (Houston) - Converted track man didn't concentrate on football until this past season, but is projected as a first day pick by some.
- Domonique Foxworth (Maryland) � If you played for Ralph Friedgen, you just might be a redneck.
- Antwaun Rogers (Purdue) � Sound fundamentally, but stock has dropped since mid-season knee injury.
- Scott Starks (Wisconsin) � Wowed with a recent 4.35 clocking. Has improved and is very confident.
- Abraham Elimimian (Hawaii) � Under 5�9�, but could be a nice special-teamer.
- Travis Daniels (LSU) � Like teammate Corey Webster, also plays well out on an island.
- Aric Williams (Oregon St.) � Hits and also used on returns.
SAFETIES (POS GRADE: ABOVE AVERAGE)
- Thomas Davis (Georgia) � Big-time hitter won�t have to wait long till his name's called.
- Brodney Pool (Oklahoma) � Good in coverage but not good in run support.
- Ernest Shazor (Michigan) � Linebacker-sized hitter.
- Donte Nicholson (Oklahoma) � Has plenty of potential and was heavily hyped as a JC transfer.
- James Butler (Georgia Tech) � Good size, but stock has slipped in last year.
- Oshiomogho Atogwe (Stanford) � Playmaker breaks up passes, forces and recovers fumbles.
- Josh Bullocks (Nebraska) � Looks for the big play, but lacking in run support.
- Sean Considene (Iowa) � From walk-on to a legitimate prospect.
- Vincent Fuller (Virginia Tech) � Has shuffled between CB/safety.
- Dustin Fox (Ohio St.) � Great in man coverage and has good technique.
- Junior Rosegreen (Auburn) � Made big impression with four interception night v. Tennessee.
- Jamaal Brimmer (UNLV) � Likes to come on the corner blitz, but 4.76 time at the combine drops him clear out of the first day.
- Gerald Sensabaugh (North Carolina) � Noted for his tackling and special teams ability. Has �Super Ram� status in the weight room.
- Jim Leonhard (Wisconsin) � Would have chance to be a first rounder if 6� instead of 5�9�. Broken foot unfortunately knocks him clear out of first day. Will find a niche in the league as a special teamer.
- Atari Bigby (Central Florida) � Whoever drafts Pac-Man Jones should automatically be ordered to draft this guy too.
- Matt Grootegoed (USC) � Undersized linebacker is expected to move to safety in the pros. Not talented, but has a nose for the ballcarrier.
- Hazma Abdullah (Washington St.) � Opened some eyes at the second-tier All-Star games.
- Peter Sands (Central Florida) � �Tackle machine�, and he and Atari got plenty of it the last two years.
- Mitch Meeuwsen (Oregon St.) � Mike Williams lit him up like a roman candle at the Coliseum a couple of years back. Getting consideration despite NFL combine snub.
- Patrick Body (Toledo) � Inspirational, high character player has been dogged by major injuries.
KICKERS
- Mike Nugent (Ohio St.) � Clutch kicker nailed 55-yarder down the middle to win game last year. Kickoffs don�t go deep though.
- Jonathan Nichols (Mississippi) � Should be drafted, kicking in elements a question mark.
- Jared Siegel (Oregon) � At the very worst should find a niche as a kickoff specialist.
PUNTER
- Dustin Colquitt (Tennessee) � Comes from a great kicking family and averaged 45 yards plus a couple years back. Lone punter to merit first-day consideration this year.
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