It is the year of the big man in the NFL draft.
Sure, the glamour guys still get most of the attention, but the foundation of the 2010 draft will be the 300-pounders who are the future foundations of their respective teams. As many as five offensive tackles could be off the board before the first 15 picks are made April 22.
Denver Post NFL reporter Jeff Legwold sifted through video; interviewed a bevy of general managers, coaches and scouts; attended the Senior Bowl and the scouting combine; then put together his top 100 players of this year’s draft.
Players are ranked on the basis of their college production but also on their pro potential:
1. Ndamukong Suh
DT, Nebraska, 6-feet-3 7/8, 307 pounds
Won’t be taken first, but nobody played better last fall.
2. Sam Bradford
QB, Oklahoma, 6-4 1/4, 236
Likely No. 1 pick. Some scouts have said he’s the most accurate passer to enter draft since Hall of Famer Troy Aikman.
3. Russell Okung
OT, Oklahoma State, 6-5 1/4, 307
Strong and athletic with a huge reach. Best OL prospect.
4. Gerald McCoy
DT, Oklahoma, 6-4 1/8, 295
Quick, disruptive player who figures to excel in a one-gap defense.
5. Trent Williams
OT, Oklahoma, 6-4 5/8, 315
Three Sooners in top five, and Williams most likely to play first in NFL.
6. C.J. Spiller
RB, Clemson, 5-10 5/8, 196
High-character guy with blazing speed and knack for making big plays.
7. Eric Berry
S, Tennessee, 5-11 5/8, 211
Intelligent playmaker who has knack for interceptions and long returns.
8. Rolando McClain
LB, Alabama, 6-3 3/8, 254
Butkus Award winner is the only inside linebacker likely to be taken in the first round.
9. Bryan Bulaga
OT, Iowa, 6-5 3/8, 314
Plays with a get-it-done edge and consistently dominated in college.
10. Bruce Campbell
OT, Maryland, 6-6 3/8, 314
A gamble, as he started just one year for Terps, but he’s an amazing athlete (4.78 seconds in 40).
11. Dan Williams
DT, Tennessee, 6-2, 327
Able to pressure passer from inside with terrific quickness.
12. Joe Haden
CB, Florida, 5-10 3/4, 193
Was first true freshman to start at cornerback in Gators history.
13. Jermaine Gresham
TE, Oklahoma, 6-5 1/4, 261
Risk factor, missing 2009 season with torn ACL.
14. Earl Thomas
S, Texas, 5-10 1/4, 208
Instinctive player who had eight interceptions last year.
15. Jared Odrick
DT, Penn State, 6-5, 304
Could fit nicely as a DE in a 3-4 as well as at tackle or power end in a 4-3.
16. Derrick Morgan
DE, Georgia Tech, 6-3, 266
Despite double teams, had 12 1/2 sacks last year.
17. Maurkice Pouncey
C, Florida, 6-4 1/2, 304
Centers rarely get chosen in the first round, but he’s a rare talent for the position.
18. Sergio Kindle
DE/OLB, Texas, 6-2 7/8, 250
Star-studded career, can play DE or OLB.
19. Jimmy Clausen
QB, Notre Dame, 6-2 5/8, 222
He’s No. 2 QB on board for most teams because of his work in a pro-style offense.
20. Brandon Graham
DE, Michigan, 6-1 3/8, 268
Reminds some of former Wolverine LaMarr Woodley.
21. Ryan Mathews
RB, Fresno State, 5-11 5/8, 218
He has 4.4 speed and rushed for 1,800 yards in 2009.
22. Demaryius Thomas
WR, Georgia Tech, 6-3 1/3, 224
Fractured left foot in offseason; has not worked out for teams.
23. Charles Brown
OT, USC, 6-5 3/8, 303
Huge hands, long arms and moves well.
24. Kyle Wilson
CB, Boise State, 5-10, 194
Did well at Senior Bowl and combine; can return kicks too.
25. Jason Pierre-Paul
DE, South Florida, 6-4 3/4, 270
Classic risk-reward pick who never lived up to hype in college.
26. Mike Iupati
G, Idaho, 6-5 1/8, 331
Also worked out at tackle for scouts.
27. Dez Bryant
WR, Oklahoma State, 6-2, 225
Off-field issues, but receiving skills are top-shelf. Some team will bite.
28. Everson Griffen
DE, USC, 6-3 3/8, 273
Needs to learn better technique against the run.
29. Taylor Mays
S, USC, 6-3 1/8, 230
Astounding workout numbers; might be converted to LB.
30. Anthony Davis
OT, Rutgers, 6-5, 323
His coaches have said he’s tough to motivate; needs more strength.
31. Devin McCourty
CB, Rutgers, 5-10 3/4, 193
Tremendous speed, can return kicks, and blocked three kicks in 2009.32. Patrick Robinson
CB, Florida State, 5-11 1/4, 190
Ready to jump right into NFL lineup.
33. Brian Price
DT, UCLA, 6-1 1/8, 303
A slasher who will fit well in a one-gap defense.
34. Colt McCoy
QB, Texas, 6-1 1/8, 216
Winningest quarterback in Division I-A history is a little undersized for some teams’ liking.
35. Sean Weatherspoon
LB, Missouri, 6-1 1/4, 239
Tremendous lower-body strength with good speed to the ball.
36. Jerry Hughes
DE/OLB, TCU, 6-1 3/4, 255
Ideal pass rusher for 3-4 teams.
37. Kareem Jackson
CB, Alabama, 5-10 1/2, 196
Can play zone and bump-and-run equally well.
38. Golden Tate
WR, Notre Dame, 5-10 1/2, 199
Plays the ball well in traffic; has 4.3 speed.
39. Carlos Dunlap
DE, Florida, 6-5 3/4, 277
Needs to develop some inside moves in the pass rush.
40. Terrence Cody
DT, Alabama, 6-3 5/8, 354
Out of shape and likely to come out on third down.
41. Toby Gerhart
RB, Stanford, 6-0, 231
A power back with 4.5 speed, he’s great near the goal line.
42. Rodger Saffold
OT, Indiana, 6-4 5/8, 316
High-effort player on mediocre teams; always catches the eye.
43. Daryl Washington
LB, TCU, 6-1 3/4, 230
Needs more weight on frame but has 4.5 speed.
44. Jahvid Best
RB, Cal, 5-10 1/8, 199
Just turned 21, had 11 career carries of at least 60 yards.
45. Lamarr Houston
DT, Texas, 6-2 3/4, 305
Doherty grad had 20 tackles for loss last season.
46. Navorro Bowman
LB, Penn State, 6-0 1/2, 242
A sturdy, no-frills player who just gets it done.
47. Tyson Alualu
DE, Cal, 6-2 3/8, 295
High-effort guy who made 24 1/2 tackles for loss last year.
48. Arrelious Benn
WR, Illinois, 6-1, 219
Strong player who can shine with better QB throwing to him.
49. Sean Lee
LB, Penn State, 6-2 1/8, 236
Tore right ACL in August 2008, but rebounded with an 86-tackle season in 2009.
50. Linval Joseph
DT, East Carolina, 6-4 1/2, 328
Lost 70 pounds from freshman year; routinely handled double teams this past season.
51. Jon Asamoah
G, Illinois, 6-4, 305
Injured his shoulder at the Senior Bowl and had not worked out for teams. Tough, nasty, physical blocker.
52. Vladimir Ducasse
OT, Massachusetts, 6-4 3/8, 332
Native of Haiti had tough week at the Senior Bowl, possibly lowering his stock.
53. Brandon Spikes
LB, Florida, 6-2 7/8, 249
His 5.06, 5.07 clockings in the 40 at his pro day moved him down, but he’s a proven SEC standout.
54. Nate Allen
S, South Florida, 6-0 1/2, 207
Former prep quarterback had four interceptions this past season.
55. Rob Gronkowski
TE, Arizona, 6-6 1/4, 264
Injury risk, missed 2009 season because of surgery to repair herniated disc.
56. Eric Decker
WR, Minnesota, 6-3 1/8, 217
Another productive player dealing with a medical issue — foot surgery. Also had a concussion.
57. Thaddeus Gibson
OLB/DE, Ohio State, 6-2, 243
Projects as LB in pros; needs to have more awareness of what’s going on behind him.
58. Morgan Burnett
S, Georgia Tech, 6-1 3/8, 209
Had 14 interceptions in three collegiate seasons.
59. Nawa’akoa Misi
DE, Utah, 6-2 5/8, 251
Played both tackle and end for Utes; forced six fumbles past two seasons.
60. Dorin Dickerson
TE, Pitt, 6-1 3/8, 226
Workout wonder who ran 4.40 at combine.
61. Donald Butler
LB, Washington, 6-1 1/8, 245
High-effort defender who had 15 1/2 tackles for loss last season.
62. Perrish Cox
CB, Oklahoma State, 5-11 3/8, 195
Terrific return guy who also led the nation in passes defensed in 2009.
63. Tim Tebow
QB, Florida, 6-2 3/4, 236
No question he’s a winner, but can he read defenses and iron out his awkward throwing motion?
64. Cam Thomas
DT, North Carolina, 6-2 5/8, 330
Good Senior Bowl week; he displayed run-stuffing ability.
65. Jason Worilds
OLB/DE, Virginia Tech, 6-1 1/4, 254
Needs to do better at shedding blockers.
66. Dexter McCluster
RB, Mississippi, 5-8 3/4, 172
Undersized, but can catch as well as run with the ball.
67. Torrell Troup
DT, Central Florida, 6-2 3/4, 314
Outstanding defender against run.
68. Dan LeFevour
QB, Central Mich., 6-3 1/4, 230
Excelled at spread offense, accounting for 150 touchdowns in career.
69. Jerome Murphy
CB, South Florida, 6-0 1/4, 207
Physical corner who can reroute receivers off the line of scrimmage.
70. Tony Pike
QB, Cincinnati, 6-5 3/4, 223
Can he make transition from spread to pro offense?
71. Marshawn Gilyard
WR, Cincinnati, 5-11 7/8, 187
Closed career with two 1,000-yard receiving seasons.
72. Eric Norwood
LB, South Carolina, 6-0 7/8, 245
Was school’s all-time sack leader with 29.
73. Jared Veldheer
T, Hillsdale, 6-8 1/8, 312
Dominated at lower division; did not miss a snap in four years.
74. Pat Angerer
LB, Iowa, 6-0 1/4, 235
Tough tackler downgraded only because of his height.
75. Brandon Ghee
CB, Wake Forest, 5-11 5/8, 192
Great workouts have him climbing on some boards.
76. Brandon LaFell
WR, LSU, 6-2 1/2, 211
Doesn’t have top-shelf speed.
77. Damian Williams
WR, USC, 6-0 5/8, 197
Already a polished player with the ball in his hands.
78. Corey Wootton
DE, Northwestern, 6-6, 270
Knee surgery before senior year slowed him down.
79. Al Woods
DT, LSU, 6-3 5/8, 309
Huge potential but started just one year in college.
80. Dominique Franks
CB, Oklahoma, 5-11, 194
Physical for size and an excellent kick returner.
81. Montario Hardesty
RB, Tennessee, 5-11 3/4, 225
Has had multiple knee surgeries.
82. Dennis Pitta
TE, BYU, 6-4 1/2, 245
Had three 50-catch seasons at BYU.
83. Alex Carrington
DE, Arkansas State, 6-5 1/4, 285
Plays run well, showed a consistent bull rush.
84. Jimmy Graham
TE, Miami, 6-6 1/4, 260
Raw, playing just one season of college ball.
85. John Jerry
G, Mississippi, 6-5 3/8, 328
Quality drive blocker; needs to get in better shape.
86. Ben Tate
RB, Auburn, 5-11, 220
Enormous raw talent but had average college numbers.
87. Jordan Shipley
WR, Texas, 5-11 1/4, 193
Catches everything in sight; long injury history.
88. Anthony McCoy
TE, USC, 6-4 1/2, 259
Scored exactly one touchdown in each of past three seasons.
89. Ricky Sapp
DE, Clemson, 6-3 7/8, 252
Mediocre senior season after tearing his ACL a year earlier.
90. Jacoby Ford
WR, Clemson, 5-8 7/8, 186
Deep threat; NCAA champion in the 60 meters.
91. Jonathan Dwyer
RB, Georgia Tech, 5-11 1/4, 229
Often lined up at fullback in a triple-option attack.
92. Chris Cook
CB/S, Virginia, 6-2, 212
Big, physical and fast (4.43); but concerns about attitude.
93. Javier Arenas
CB, Alabama, 5-8 5/8, 197
A little undersized for some teams’ liking.
94. Joe McKnight
RB, USC, 5-11 3/8, 198
Undersized back who catches ball well.
95. Chris Marinelli
OT, Stanford, 6-6 1/4, 301
Three-year starter but not invited to the combine.
96. D’Anthony Smith
DT, Louisiana Tech, 6-2 1/8, 304
Has not played up to his workout numbers.
97. Aaron Hernandez
TE, Florida, 6-2 3/8, 245
Clutch player, plays best in biggest games.
98. Selvish Capers
OT, West Virginia, 6-4 5/8, 308
Average at point of attack; good on the move.
99. J.D. Walton
C, Baylor, 6-2 5/8, 300
Fared pretty well against Nebraska’s Suh.
100. Akwasi Owusu-Ansah
CB, Indiana (Pa.), 6-0 1/4, 207
Big corners always move up the board on draft day.
