Brohm the early leader to be the top pick
Top 10 for 2008
1. Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville
Brohm lacks ideal mobility and has experienced some durability issues (thumb and shoulder) over the course of the past year. Otherwise, he possesses all the tangible and intangible qualities of a top-five draft pick. Brohm possesses prototypical size and good arm strength to go along with outstanding decision-making skills and accuracy as a passer. In order to land the top spot in the 2008 draft, Brohm must quickly adapt to new coach Steve Kragthorpe's system and avoid the nagging injuries that have plagued him in the past.
2. Sam Baker, OT, USC
Baker made a wise decision to return for his senior season, allowing him another full year to improve his bulk and strength. If he can carry more weight and become more physical in the run game without it affecting his outstanding feet and quickness, Baker will undoubtedly earn a top-10 spot in next year's draft. Baker will be fighting off Michigan's Jake Long for the honor of top offensive lineman in 2008.
3. Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
Dorsey is an explosive one-gap defensive tackle with elite initial burst and change-of-direction skills for his size. After splitting time in a rotation behind Claude Wroten and Kyle Williams early in his career, Dorsey experienced a breakout season as a first-year starter in 2006 (64 total tackles, including 8.5 for losses). If he continues to improve his lower-body strength and overall technique as a senior, Dorsey should be the top interior defensive lineman selected in the 2008 draft
4. Jake Long, OT, Michigan
Long could have been a top-10 pick in the 2007 draft but instead elected to return to Ann Arbor for his final season of eligibility. At 6-foot-7, 320 pounds with great experience and quick feet, there's not many holes to pick in Long's game. He missed nearly half of the 2005 season with an ankle injury but returned to form as a full-time starter last year. Another healthy and productive campaign in 2007 should land Long a top-10 spot in next year's draft.
(9) Early Doucet
John David Mercer-US PRESSWIRE
Early Doucet has all the makings of being the first WR drafted next year.
5. Early Doucet, WR, LSU
Doucet has paid his dues as the No. 3 receiver behind a pair of first-rounders in Dwayne Bowe (Chiefs, No. 23 overall) and Craig Davis (Chargers, No. 30 overall). Now it's Doucet's time to shine. The 6-foot, 205-pound speedster should quickly emerge as new starting QB Matt Flynn's favorite target. If Doucet embraces the spotlight and proves capable of handling the double-team attention that comes along with it, he could become the top receiver selected in the 2008 draft.
6. Paul Oliver, CB, Georgia
Oliver is one of the most underrated prospects in the 2008 class right now. This 6-foot, 205-pound cornerback impressed me with his improved coverage skills during the second half of the 2006 season, including a tremendous effort versus former Georgia Tech star WR Calvin Johnson (Lions, No. 2 overall). Don't be surprised if Oliver emerges as a top-10 pick a year from now.
7. Andre Woodson, QB, Kentucky
The light finally came on for Woodson as a junior in 2006, when he threw 25 more touchdowns (31) compared to only one more interception (seven) from the previous year. The 6-5, 235-pound gunslinger is seeing the entire field and has learned to better protect the football. Woodson also has a strong arm and good mobility for his size. If he builds on this momentum as a senior, the top two quarterbacks (Brohm and Woodson) selected in the 2008 draft could hail from the state of Kentucky.
8. Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
Sweed is a thoroughbred wide receiver measuring in at 6-5 and 218 pounds with 4.5 speed. He led the Longhorns with 801 yards and 12 touchdowns on 46 receptions last season, including a career best eight-catch, 119-yard performance at Nebraska. QB Colt McCoy isn't a rookie anymore, which should lead to more opportunities for Sweed in a more wide-open Texas offense in 2007. Sweed can solidify his spot in Round 1 by running more polished routes and by continuing to step up in the big games.
9. Chad Henne, QB, Michigan
Henne is an experienced starter with good size and arm strength. He's not the type of quarterback that can carry a team, but he does an excellent job of managing games and distributing the ball to his playmakers. Henne made the wise decision of returning to school for his senior season in 2007. His accuracy and overall decision making must improve in order to warrant first-round consideration in the 2008 draft.
10. Frank Okam, DT, Texas
Okam's upside is nearly limitless. At 6-5, 320 pounds, he flashes the mobility and power to dominate the interior. Much like Michigan's Alan Branch, who dropped out of this year's first round, Okam's motor is too inconsistent. He needs to turn it up a notch and play with more fire in order to maximize his draft stock, which easily could reach top-10 heights.
Top 5 by position
Quarterbacks
1. Brian Brohm, Louisville
2. Andre Woodson, Kentucky
3. Chad Henne, Michigan
4. Colt Brennan, Hawaii
5. Erik Ainge, Tennessee
Running Backs
1. Allen Patrick, Oklahoma
2. Branden Ore, Virginia Tech
3. Mike Hart, Michigan
4. Dantrell Savage, Oklahoma State
5. Tashard Choice, Georgia Tech
Wide Receivers
1. Early Doucet, LSU
2. Limas Sweed, Texas
3. Adarius Bowman
4. Keenan Burton, Kentucky
5. D.J. Hall, Alabama
Tight Ends
1. Martin Rucker, Missouri
2. John Carlson, Notre Dame
3. Dustin Keller, Purdue
4. Jacob Tamme, Kentucky
5. Fred Davis, USC
Offensive Tackles
1. Sam Baker, USC
2. Jake Long, Michigan
3. Gosder Cherilus, Boston College
4. Barry Richardson, Clemson
5. Tony Hills, Texas
Guards
1. Will Arnold, LSU
2. Shannon Tevaga, UCLA
3. Jordan Grimes, Purdue
4. Adam Kraus, Michigan
5. Andrew Crummey, Maryland
Centers
1. Kory Lichtensteiger, Bowling Green
2. John Sullivan, Notre Dame
3. Doug Legursky, Marshall
4. Tony Brinkhaus, Minnesota
5. Trevor Rees, Northwestern
Defensive Ends
1. Lawrence Jackson, USC
2. Quentin Groves, Auburn
3. Chris Long, Virginia
4. Bruce Davis, UCLA
5. Dexter Manley II, Oregon
Defensive Tackles
1. Glenn Dorsey, LSU
2. Frank Okam, Texas
3. DeMario Pressley, NC State
4. Sedrick Ellis, USC
5. Andre Fluellen, Florida State
Inside Linebackers
1. Vince Hall, Virginia Tech
2. Jasper Brinkley, South Carolina
3. Jonathan Goff, Vanderbilt
4. Jeremy Leman, Illinois
5. Mike Klinkenborg, Iowa
Outside Linebackers
1. Keith Rivers, USC
2. Dan Connor, Penn State
3. Malik Jackson, Louisville
4. Xavier Adibi, Virginia Tech
5. Phillip Wheeler, Georgia Tech
Cornerbacks
1. Paul Oliver, Georgia
2. Antoine Cason, Arizona
3. Dwight Lowery, San Jose State
4. Terrell Thomas, USC
5. DeJuan Tribble, Boston College
Safeties
1. Jonathan Hefney, Tennessee
2. Darien Williams, Oklahoma
3. Jamar Adams, Michigan
4. Tierre Green, Nebraska
5. Tom Zbikowski, Notre Dame
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