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Since some of y'all have asked, my extraordinarily early top 32 for the 2008 draft. Note I include juniors that most people expect to declare. Note also that this is subject to major change and that some guys rated real high elsewhere suffer from my relative lack of exposure to them.

My early impression is that this class has more high-end talent than 2007, but the overall depth looks shakier--guys who will go in the 3rd round in 2008 would have been 4th-5th rounders in 05-07.

1. Brian Brohm QB Louisville. At this point Brohm grades higher than any QB besides Leinart and Palmer this decade. The only thing that should keep him from being #1 overall is his injury history; other than that this is a guy you deal whatever it takes to get him and build around. Randy Mueller thinks so too, and he just might have the #1 pick.

2. Darren McFadden RB Arkansas. Versatile big back with speed to burn. There's not one person who believes he won't come out, esp. if he wins the Heisman. He's got a lot of Steven Jackson in him. Should grade out higher than Adrian Peterson or any of the 2005 class (Brown, Cadillac, Benson).

3. Glen Dorsey DT LSU. Big space eater who can get into the backfield and wreak havoc. Would have been a top 12 pick in 2007, and he's perfect for a 3-4 NT but can play the 1-2 technique with no problems.

4. Mario Urrutia WR Louisville. The size of Plaxico, great hands, freakish leaping (he can touch 12' 5"), excellent student. Not real physical and he's kind of "needy". He is precisely what the Texans need right now, and they'll likely be picking in this range.

5. Lawrence Jackson DE USC. A taller version of Demarcus Ware who will undoubtedly be moved to OLB in a 3-4 by the Cowboys, who will use the pick they got from Cleveland for Brady Quinn to get him. Calling my shot early

6. Sam Baker T USC. His athleticism and technique are on par with elite LTs, though he's not as strong or physical as Joe Thomas or Levi Brown. If the Lions tire of Jeff "on his..." Backus, Baker is a perfect fit.

7. Jake Long T Michigan. Bigger than Baker but not as agile nor consistent. Devours speed rushers but physical guys can get into him. Reminds me a great deal of Chris Samuels, and that's a good thing because he might be replacing him in WAS.

8. Rey Maualuga LB USC. Think Ernie Sims without the concussion history--powerful hitter, great finisher of tackles, lost in pass coverage, emotional leader, more quick than fast but fast enough. A classic 4-3 weakside LB who would look great as a Titan.

9. Derrick Harvey DE Florida. His recorded 40 time and bench reps (4.78 and 17 reps) are the only thing keeping him from being higher. An instigating playmaker who always seems to be in the right spot.

10. James Laurinaitis LB Ohio State. One scout told me his team thinks he's the next Urlacher. He's not that fast but everything else seems right. Could be a great fit with his hometown Vikings in this range.

11. Frank Okam DT Texas. He

Insightful stuff Icness. Always appreciated.

The QB class is getting a lot of attention already with Brohm, Brennan, Woodson, Booty, Ainge, Henne and others.

And it looks like a strong LB class this year.

Agreed, NC. Laurinaitis and Malauga have a legit shot at going top 5 with good play.

What are the knocks on Michael Hart outside of his "injury waiting to happen" tag?

PhilipNelsonFan wrote:Agreed, NC. Laurinaitis and Malauga have a legit shot at going top 5 with good play.

What are the knocks on Michael Hart outside of his "injury waiting to happen" tag?

Hart is short and he's not a fiery guy, very quiet and unassuming. But the injury issue is really the only thing that keeps him from being a top-15 talent.

where would matt ryan from boston college rank? i thought he was supposed to be a potential 1st rounder

no one from washington? i hate you.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/pr ... rId=173139

This kid is someone worth watching. He's a sophomore, but he is gonna be good.

Also, why isn't anyone on the Jonathan Stewart bandwagon? This kid is going to light it up this season.

that kid doesnt look that great, his td/int ratio is 1 to 1 not to mention his size isnt prototypical for the nfl and its not like USF is a hotbed for pro players.

also icness unless jackson slides way down i cant see anyway the cowboys take him, we've taken a LB with our 1st rounder the past 3 years.

Icness, you really like Baker over Long?

Also, I think I would have Quentin Groves in my top 32 prospects.

All in all a pretty good list.

Next Coming wrote:The QB class is getting a lot of attention already with Brohm, Brennan, Woodson, Booty, Ainge, Henne and others.

Just to add one name to that, Matt Ryan out of BC.

magee wrote:Also, why isn't anyone on the Jonathan Stewart bandwagon? This kid is going to light it up this season.

God, I hope so. He's coming into the season in potentially the best physical shape of his life.

I'm interested, though, in seeing what happens to Jeremiah Johnson...he'd shine if he wasn't behind one of the most talented RBs to enter college football. I'm guessing Johnson has second-round potential.

Thoughts:

Brohm is thought that highly of? Or are you ranking him in terms of pure passing potential? I mean, overall I didn't think he would grade out higher than Mike Vick or Vince Young.

Would Mcfadden grade out higher than Peterson if Peterson didn't have his injury history?

I love Glen Dorsey, Saint's need to make whatever move is needed to get him.

Early Doucet's hands and route running would make Roddy White run and hide.....

bigboy1234 wrote:Icness, you really like Baker over Long?

Also, I think I would have Quentin Groves in my top 32 prospects.

All in all a pretty good list.
-= original quote snipped =-


Just to add one name to that, Matt Ryan out of BC.

Yep. I don't know how I forgot Matt Ryan.

I haven't seen enough of Ryan to justify that. I think I've seen him play one half. It's not out of the question though.

The QB everyone needs to really pay attention to is Andre Woodson at Kentucky. He had better numbers than Jamarcus Russell against common opponents and he did it with significantly less talent around him. He's also quite a bit more agile and makes a lot less dumb throws. If he chalks up big games against LSU/Tennessee/Florida he's got a real shot to go #1 overall. He's got a lot of Culpepper in him but the guy he really reminds me of is Warren Moon as a best-case scenario.

Brohm is legitimately that well-regarded. His arm is a lot better than he gets credit for and he's got a lot of similar intangible characteristics of Peyton Manning.

Yep. I've already been on the record saying Woodson will go #1.

Next Coming wrote:Yep. I've already been on the record saying Woodson will go #1.

Wow, #1 you ballsy man you.

I'm out there bigboy and I'm loving every minute of it.

Icness wrote:I haven't seen enough of Ryan to justify that. I think I've seen him play one half. It's not out of the question though.

The QB everyone needs to really pay attention to is Andre Woodson at Kentucky. He had better numbers than Jamarcus Russell against common opponents and he did it with significantly less talent around him. He's also quite a bit more agile and makes a lot less dumb throws. If he chalks up big games against LSU/Tennessee/Florida he's got a real shot to go #1 overall. He's got a lot of Culpepper in him but the guy he really reminds me of is Warren Moon as a best-case scenario.

Brohm is legitimately that well-regarded. His arm is a lot better than he gets credit for and he's got a lot of similar intangible characteristics of Peyton Manning.

Should we expect his game to be dissected to the point where he drops, like Leinart or Quinn?

NO-KG-AI wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



Should we expect his game to be dissected to the point where he drops, like Leinart or Quinn?

Absolutely. In fact, it might be real interesting to see who is drafting QBs in the 1st couple of rounds next year. Potentially outstanding QB class, the best in years, but it's going to be a tough sell for a lot of QB-needy teams (potentially) to pull the trigger.

Who might need a new QB that hasn't used a 1st or 2nd round pick (including trades of those picks) in the last 3 years on a different QB?

Atlanta almost certainly will. And I do not believe that Bobby Petrino would pass on his former QB Brohm.

The Bears, maybe. The Cowboys, perhaps, if they don't screw up and sign Romo long-term in the next couple of weeks. Maybe Baltimore if Troy Smith isn't going to cut it.

MIA, OAK, CLE, TEN, KC, MIN, GB, DET, PIT, NYJ, BUF, ARI, TB, WAS, NYG, HOU--those are the teams that are either going to stink this year or should be in the market for a QB upgrade that have spent a 1st or 2nd rounder or signed an incumbent to a nasty contract, thus making the drafting of a 1st round QB a real doubt. That's half the league right there, and almost certainly the entire top 10 of the 2008 draft will come from that list.

It's not like NE, IND, NO (actually they might), CAR (with Carr), SEA, SD, DEN, PHI, CIN or SF are going to do it with their current QB situation.

There's going to be some real interesting decisions next spring, that's for sure. Potentially a lot more action in terms of vets moving/being cut or draft day deals involving players the casual fan has heard of and/or multiple picks.

I'm going to probably see a bit of Andre Woodson, but I really need to watch some more of Brohm, because I am obviously selling his arm strength and ability to play in a pro system very short.

Icness, who do you have in the championship, and do you see Joe Mcknight(traitor) getting any significant PT at USC?

NO-KG-AI wrote:I'm going to probably see a bit of Andre Woodson, but I really need to watch some more of Brohm, because I am obviously selling his arm strength and ability to play in a pro system very short.

Icness, who do you have in the championship, and do you see Joe Mcknight(traitor) getting any significant PT at USC?

I think the winner of the Wisconsin/Michigan game will play USC for the national title. VA Tech, LSU, and the Louisville/WVU winner will all be right there in case anyone falters. The VT@LSU game on 9/8 is huge--if Tech wins that one they're almost certainly not going to lose any games barring a major upset--they get FSU, MIA, and BC at home where they are unstoppable. But if LSU loses that one, and only that one, it's going to be real hard to keep them out too.

The last I heard about McKnight was that he was sitting #4 on the depth chart but that Pete Carroll wasn't sold on anyone yet. He might see as much time at WR as he does RB because that's pretty much the only weakness they have, and he's supposedly got great hands and open field ability. I'm not a west coast guy or a HS recruiting guy so I truthfully know very little about him.