Cleveland Browns

2007 Record: 10-6

2007 PF: 402    PA: 382          

2008 Schedule difference:  Denver Broncos and Buffalo Bills                               &nbs p;  

Team Strength: Scoring offense     

Biggest weakness: secondary               & nbsp;  

Key Areas of Concern: weak secondary – RB depth – QB controversy

Key Additions: 

D-linemen Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams were the big off-season splashes.  These two are expected to turn Cleveland’s biggest weakness into one of their core strengths.  Rookie Linebackers Beau Bell figures to push Andra Davis for a starting job.  Martin Rucker was drafted as an insurance policy on Kellen Winslow’s knees.  Donte Stallworth was added in FA to take some heat off of Braylon Edwards on the outside.  Rex Hadnot should challenge for a starting RG spot, and Terry Cousins was brought in as a band-aid over the Holly and Bodden loses.

Key Loses: 

Leigh Bodden was traded away for Shaun Rogers weakening an already suspect secondary.  Just after that Cleveland karma kicked in and Daven Holly was injured and cut.  LeCharles Bentley was cut, but never played a down for the Browns so he was really a non-factor.  Orpheus Roye and Ethan Kelley losses were offset by gaining Rogers and Williams.

Offensive Outlook: 

This will largely be the same unit from a year ago.  The offensive line is great on the left side and decent on the right.  The RB situation will remain a concern.  An aging Jamal Lewis is their only real threat, and if he can’t hold up there is nothing behind him. 

Donte Stallworth will present an upgrade over Joe Jurevicius with his deep speed.  Stallworth is far from a complete player however.  New Orleans, Philly, and New England all let him go over the past 3 years for a reason.  Paul Hubbard and Josh Cribbs will compete to provide some decent # 4 depth.  Winslow will now be backed up by Martin Rucker.  If Rucker pans out Cleveland could use some 2 TE formations.

Derek Anderson is the big question mark for the Browns offense.  He made a Pro Bowl last year but had only the 25th best completion percentage and 12th best QB rating in the league.  He faltered late in the year and began the season as a back-up.  If Anderson falters so will Cleveland unless Brady Quinn shows he is ready to go. Anderson very well may be the next Scott Mitchell and the tough schedule may bring that out of him.

Defensive Outlook: 

No unit has gotten more attention this off-season than the Browns 3-man front.  Adding Pro Bowl caliber players in Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams should be an immediate upgrade.  Shaun and Robaire Smith as well as rookie NT Ahtyba Rubin will make for a solid and deep unit.  The questions remain as to how well Williams will transition to a 3-4 and how Rogers will play at DE and NT.  One thing is certain though, when Cleveland uses 4-man fronts in passing situations their DT’s will be a holy terror rushing the passer up the gut.

At LB Andra Davis, Beau Bell, and Leon Williams will all compete for starting ILB duties next to D’Qwell Jackson.  Kam Wimbley is expected to be the beneficiary of the improved DL and Antwan Peek and Willie McGinest will split time on the opposite side.

The defensive secondary will be this teams Achilles heel.  Sean Jones is a quality starter at Safety.  After him it is a bunch of young guys and question marks. 

Brodney Pool has underperformed his 1st day draft status at FS.  2nd year CB’s Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald are penciled in as starters.  Behind them is FA journeyman Terry Cousins and UDFA’s Darnell Terrell, AJ Davis, Gerald Lawson, and Jereme Perry. 

This entire unit aside from Cousins has less than 2 seasons worth of starts combined.  If the front 7 doesn’t dominate Cleveland is in trouble.  I’d expect teams to come out in hurry up and spread the field exposing the week secondary much like what happened to the Steelers during the Scott, Alexander, Washington, Flowers, and Poteat days.  Bruce Arians is sure to remember that.

Special Teams Outlook:  

Josh Cribbs is the top return man in the game outside of that Hester kid in Chicago.  Dave Zastudil and Phil Dawson are solid vets at P/K.  The coverage units are fair, but didn’t get much help in the off-season.

2008 Season Projections:                                      

The Browns are the media darlings this year much like Saints and Bengals were last year.  We all saw how that turned out.  The teams had two very solid additions in Rogers and Williams.  I’m not buying into the Donte Stallworth addition as he was hardly a factor for the best offense in NFL history last year and was let go by 3 teams in 3 years. 

The loss of Bodden and Holly on the secondary could be crippling.   There is enough talent on the offense for them to again score points in bunches.  The defensive front should also be improved thus making Cleveland a better team.  However, Cleveland’s 10-6 last year was mostly smoke and mirrors.  They only beat one team with a winning record in the past two years.  That was vs. Seattle at home in OT.  The same Seattle team who lost every 1:00 east coast road game they played the past few years.  

Cleveland is a better team then they were, but playing against the big boys in the AFC South and NFC East along with a 2nd place schedule should set them back a bit.

Clowns 2008 Season prediction : 8-8  (T-2nd AFC North)

Pittsburgh Steelers

2007 Record: 10-6   

PF: 393   PA 269                & nbsp;        

2008 Schedule difference:  NE Patriots and San Diego Chargers                                &nbs p; 

Team Strength: Well Balanced O & D   

Biggest weakness: Pass Protection   

Key Areas of Concern: O-line – FS – DL Depth

Key Additions: 

Adding Rashard Mendenhall to a backfield that already had a Pro Bowl RB in Willie Parker should fix the Steelers RB depth issues.  Mendenhall will provide the power back that the Steelers lacked since Jerome Bettis retired.  Mewelde Moore will be a very solid 3rd down back and PR man.  Limas Sweed also fills a void at WR.  He will be a 3rd WR and perfect compliment to Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes.  Justin Hartwig should immediately upgrade the Center position where Sean Mahan struggled mightily last year.

Key Loses: 

Alan Faneca is the Steelers only major loss.  He was a fixture in the Steelers running game for years, however his play had slightly declined and his pass protection left a lot to be desired at times.  Clark Haggans won’t be missed as 2nd year man Lamar Woodley was clearly the better talent last season.  Cedrick Wilson will only be missed by Patron’s Mexican Grill in Wexford, PA as he made the joint semi-famous by publicly slapping his baby mama in their bar.  You stay classy Ced!

Offensive Outlook:  

Can the Steelers find a way to improve an offensive line that lost its best player?  That is the major question mark for this team.  Chris Kemoeatu will step in at the LG spot and Justin Hartwig will take over at Center.  Marvel Smith should be vastly improved over his 2007 form after getting his bulging disc fixed.  There is a looming battle at RT between Willie Colon and the 7 million dollar man Max Starks

Aside from the O-line the Steelers skill positions are absolutely loaded with talent.  RB Willie Parker has the ability to score anytime he touches the ball.  He should be more effective with a lighter workload.  Rashard Mendenhall should do all the heavy lifting in short yardage and goal line situations, as well as salting away leads late in games.  Mewelde Moore should be a dangerous weapon out of the backfield on 3rd downs.

Adding the 6’4 Limas Sweed to the speedy Santonio Holmes and the gritty Hines Ward will give defenses fits.  Somebody will have to be single covered when all 3 are on the field.  Nate Washington will continue as a solid back-up and should be better than any #4 CB he would face in 4 wide sets.  Look for Dallas Baker to stick on the roster and add an additional tall red zone threat. 

When accounting for the Steelers backs and WR’s teams may forget about the TE’s.  Heath Miller is productive and well balanced, and Matt Spaeth is a mammoth target that caught 3 TD’s as a rookie in limited playing time.

Look for this unit to move the ball and score bunches of points; however sacks will again be a problem vs. teams with speedy outside rushers or dominant inside defensive tackles.

Defensive Outlook:  

Will the real Steelers D please stand up?  Is it the unit that led the league in pass yards allowed, rushing yards allowed, and points allowed deep into the season?  Or is it the unit that got abused by the lowly Rams and Ravens offenses late in the year. 

The key may be Defensive end Aaron Smith staying healthy and Casey Hampton getting in better shape.  The starting D-line of the Steelers remains dominant; however depth is a serious question.  Back-ups Travis Kirschke and Nick Eason were abused routinely last season.  Will a rookie UDFA step up, or will Ryan McBean emerge as a quality player?  Something needs to happen here to improve the unit.

The linebacking unit will undergo some changes in 2008.  Long time starters Clark Haggans and Larry Foote should be replaced as starters by last years top two picks in Lawrence Timmons and Lamar Woodley.  James Harrison evolved into a Pro Bowler last year and he should greatly benefit from having a dominant force like Woodley opposite him.  James Farrior is still a solid ILB, and Larry Foote will provide some good depth.  Bruce Davis likely won’t see the field much, but may be used as a situational pass rusher in his rookie year.   Look for Timmons to also get a lot of looks in dime packages.

The secondary remains largely unchanged from last year.  Bryant McFadden and Deshea Townsend will again battle it out at CB for the #2 and #3 jobs opposite Ike Taylor.  Troy Polamalu is working to remain healthy for an entire season.  Opposite him Ryan Clark appears to be back after a major operation and illness.  If he has any setbacks Anthony Smith will again reclaim his FS spot.   Look for rookie Ryan Mundy to factor into the mix as well as Ty Carter has likely fallen out of favor with the staff after his putrid playoff performance.  Willie Gay should again provide a solid #4 CB option.                                                          

Look for the Steelers defense to be a top 10 unit again, however they should take a step backwards statistically due to the toughest schedule in the league.  They play a ridiculous 11 games vs. teams with a Pro Bowl QB.  If there are any injuries along the D-line, the unit may again have some struggles vs. the run.

Special Teams Outlook:  

The Steelers coverage units are historically shitty.  It’s hard to figure out why, so the coaching staff decided they spent too much time on the area last year and will neglect it this year to create some urgency.  

Rookies Mike Humpal, Bruce Davis, and Ryan Mundy will surely provide an upgrade in the area, as will Keyaron Fox if he sticks on the roster.  Second year punter Dan Sepulveda needs to live up to his lofty draft status.  At times he did, and at other times he looked like a wasted pick.  The talent is there, but the performance needs to be there every time out, especially in key situations. 

Jeff Reed made every single FG he attempted last year except one in a monsoon that was buried in 6” of mud, and another that would have been the longest in league history.  He does need to work on getting his kick-offs deeper, or Sepulveda needs to take the job away.  

The core of hungry young rookies coupled with putting some starters like Harrison and Keisel on the coverage units should be enough to fix the leaks.  The “all hands on deck” approach has been floated by Kevin Colbert, we will see if it works that way or not this year.

2008 Season Projections:                                      

The Steelers offense very well could improve statistically.  Adding Mendenhall, Moore, Sweed, and Hartwig is a nice haul.  The season likely will all come down to the trenches.  If the O-line can gel and the D-line can remain healthy the Steelers should win the division and be legit SB contenders.  If the O-line falters and the D-line depth gives out, this team could fall off to being a .500 team.  The murderous schedule should be enough to keep this team from getting a 1st round bye, but they should be able to sneak out a division title and home playoff game.                                

Steelers 2008 Season prediction : 10-6  (1st AFC North)
 

AFC North 2008 Division Preview         

By: Steel Perch

Baltimore Ravens

  2007 Record: 5-11    2007 PF: 275   PA: 384                     

2008 Schedule difference:  Oakland Raiders and Miami Dolphins                         Team strength:  Defensive front 7       Biggest weakness:  Passing offense            Key Areas of Concern:   QB – WR – Secondary depth – DL depth

Key Additions:   Call it addition by subtraction, but cutting Brian Billick loose and bringing in Cam Cameron the Ravens offense stands a good chance at improving.  Fabian Washington should add depth to a thin secondary.  If anything he will ensure that when injuries occur the Ravens defense won’t fall off the map again.  Don’t expect much from Flacco this year.  It’ll be a big jump from IAA ball to the AFC North.   He is a tall strong-armed pocket passer similar to Derek Anderson.  It’ll take a few years to develop him.   Ayanbadejo and Zbikowski should bolster an already solid ST’s coverage unit.  Gooden and Cousins were nice mid-round picks.

Key Loses:   McNair retired, but losing the McNair of last year is probably an addition.  Jon Ogden is in the same boat.  Both of these guys shot their load in the 2006 season.  In 2007 they weren’t all there.  Anderson and Smith’s losses should be easily replaced by Ray Rice.  All in all this team should be very similar to the one they fielded last year, just a bit deeper and possibly better coached.

Offensive Outlook:   Cam Cameron worked wonders in San Diego with an offense that had average WR’s, but a talented RB and TE combo.  Adding Ray Rice into the mix with Willis McGahee in addition to having Todd Heap should allow Cameron to manufacture some points.  Make no mistake though, with the QB situation still evolving this will be a power running team.  Even with losing Ogden, Baltimore has done a nice job of forming a big powerful run blocking O-line.  Ben Grubbs should be a Pro Bowl caliber OG this year.  Brown, Yanda, Chester, and Cousins make a solid stable along the interior OL.  Gaither and Terry may be a bit shaky at the OT spots, but should hold up in the run game.  Mason and Clayton are solid yet unspectacular players and Williams has a chance to develop into a real nice #3 guy.  They really lack an explosive playmaker however.   Quarterbacks Kyle Boller, Joe Flacco, and Troy Smith should battle it out for starter.  Troy Smith looked good carving up the Steelers last year, and reports are that he looks solid in OTA’s.   He could start and keep the job warm for Flacco.

Defensive Outlook:   It must be noted the biggest defensive addition for the Rats was keeping Rex Ryan in the fold.  He was a candidate for other jobs, and was also fired and on the open market at one point, but somehow found his way back home.    He is a top flight DC and the rest of the division should be sad to see him stay in the AFC North.

The Ravens front line remains dominant, but some holes are forming in the armor.  Kelly Gregg is 32 and Trevor Pryce is on his last legs at 33.  Pryce had trouble staying on the field last year as the injuries are mounting up on him.  Their depth, similar to the Steelers depth at D-line, is the picture of mediocrity.  An injury or two could flatten this defensive front.  Haloti Ngata is developing into a dominant force in this league as expected, but the Ravens did little to bolster this unit.

At LB an aging Ray Lewis is still more athletic than most every starting ILB in the league.  Bart Scott is solid, but a bit of a head case as noted by his antics vs. NE and comments after the Steelers game last year.  Rookie Tavares Gooden will likely get a shot to replace one of those guys after this season as they will be UFA’s. Suggs and Barnes are dangerous outside pass rushers and Jarrett Johnson will likely play opposite Suggs.           

The secondary was helped by adding Fabian Washington to the mix.  He will get a shot to replace Samari Rolle opposite Chris McCallister.  Ed Reed is still the best ball hawk in the NFL, but he keeps getting injured.  Landry is developing into a solid Safety as well.  Depth will still be an issue as Reed and Rolle are injury prone and the only talented depth is Fabian Washington.  Rookie Tom Zbikowski will primarily play ST’s and back-up SS.

Special Teams Outlook:  

Yamon Figurs proved to be a quality return man.  He netted over 1300 return yards and 2 TD’s as a rookie.  The Ravens coverage units are very good, and by adding Zbikowski and ST’s stand-out Ayanbadejo should only strengthen the units.  Matt Stover is a solid kicker and Sam Koch is an average punter.

2008 Season Projections:

The Ravens offense should improve a bit.  Expect a power running attack sprinkled in with a lot of passes to RB’s and TE’s.  The QB situation and lack of playmakers at WR will keep this offense from scoring in bunches, but with their defense 20 points can win them most games.  If they can increase their scoring output from 17 to 20 PPG they could make some noise.  Expect the defense to not be as good as their 2006 form, but they should be a bit better than the 2007 squad was.  Too many old injury prone players and lack of depth will hurt the defense.  They may be closer to a top 10 defense again, but won’t be the dominant Ravens D of old.  Their offense should be improved, but all-in-all this team is likely still 2 years away from being worth a shit.                                                &n bsp;          

Ratbirds 2008 Season prediction : 6-10  (4^th AFC North)

Cincinnati Bengals 

   2007 Record: 7-9    2007 PF: 380   PA: 385

2008 Schedule difference:  KC Chiefs and NY Jets                &nb sp;                                      Team Strength:  Passing offense   Biggest weakness: Defense as a whole                   Key Areas of Concern:   Youth in secondary – Defensive Front 7 – RB’s - Turds

Key Additions:     Adding Antwan Odom to the mix should help the Bengals pass rush out a bit.  Justin Smith was a solid player, but they never got the production out of him they wanted for a top 10 pick.  New DC Mike Zimmer can only help a defense that has floundered for the past decade.  Look for him to mix in some 3-4 looks with their base 4-3.  Depth at LB was a major issue last year and adding Keith Rivers and Darryl Blackstock should solidify things a bit.   Look for rookie DT’s Pat Sims and Jason Shirley to immediately enter and improve the 4 man DT rotation.          Both drafted players had some character concerns coming out, so Cincinnati seems to be the perfect fit.

With Chad Johnson disgruntled, Chris Henry cut/suspended, and TJ Housyourmama an UFA after the season, the Bung drafted up Jerome Simpson and Andre Caldwell early in the draft.  Simpson projects as a rangy possession type in the TJ Housh mold.  I’d expect him to be the #3 this year and to take TJ’s job after he leaves as an UFA next spring.  Caldwell is another speedy Florida WR.  They tend to be busts, but as a #4 WR and eventual #3 in Cincy he should carve out a nice niche.  Anthony Collins was a 4^th round steal.  Look for him to replace Big Willie Anderson after this year at RT or possibly Levi Jones at LT if his health doesn’t improve this season.  Signing Ben Utecht away from Indy gives the offense a dimension it has never had before, a TE to throw the ball to.

Key Loses:    

Justin Smith would have been a bigger loss had they not signed Odom instead.  I think Odom fills the need better anyway.  Losing Chris Henry is a bigger loss.  He was deadly as a #3 WR.  A healthy Odell Thurman would have been a huge addition, but he was also cut / suspended indefinitely.  Drafting turds never works out Cincy!   The loss of Madieu Williams should hurt a little.  Cincy had some solid rookie safeties last year, but the depth and experience at the position is very thin.

Offensive Outlook:    

With Ben Utech and rookie Matt Sherry in the fold Cincy will finally have pass catching threats at TE.  Unfortunately Utech is just as deadly to his own team as the opponent as he is a dropped catch machine.  The WR corps is among the most talented in the league.  Chad Johnson and TJ Houshmanzadeh are as good as it gets for a starting tandem.  Rookies Jerome Simpson and Andre Caldwell should fill the #3 and #4 roles very nicely.  More depth is available with rookie Marrio Urutia and veteran Antonio Chapman.  Cincinnati has just about every size and style of WR available and should be able to out up a lot of passing yards and points.  Carson Palmer will again be a fantasy football star.

Quality offensive linemen are in abundance in Cincy as Stacy Andrews will battle Willie Anderson for the RT job, and both are quality players.  At LT Levi Jones should be backed up by a quality rookie in Anthony Collins.  Whitworth is a good LG and the mediocre Bobbie Williams could be challenged at RG by Stacy Andrews or possibly rookie James Blair.  Their Center spot is a weakness with the ho-hum Erik Ghiaciuc as starter and no real talent behind him.

Running back is still a bit of a question mark for Cincy.  Rudi Johnson slimmed down last year in an effort to transform from a power runner to a speedy finesse guy.  That went over like a fart in church and this year he is recommitted to being a power back.  He is on the downside of his career and can’t be relied on as a feature back any more. Kenny Watson and Kenny Irons are the back-ups here, but really aren’t much of a threat.   Irons, if he can stay healthy, will be in his first full season with the team.  He should provide a quality situational threat out of the backfield in the passing game.  Watson is an over-achiever, but is still just a mediocre player.

With the O-line healthier than last year and with some more solid depth added, they should rebound from an average year offensively.  We have been hearing Marvin Lewis talk about adding a power running game to the offense and go with more of a ball control approach.  He definitely has the horses upfront to do it, but I am not buying it in the slightest.  The new talent at TE and WR coupled with the mediocre talent at RB means Cincy will again take to the air a huge percentage of the time, like it or not.            

Defensive Outlook:    

New DC Mike Zimmer has his work cut out for him.  The incompetent Chuck Bresnahan seemed to be a man without a plan and the cupboards aren’t quite fully stocked to say the least.  The D-line has some new talent to work with.  Odom and Geathers should form a respectable DE combination on the line. The talent behind them in Rucker, Fanene, and Craig is very lackluster though.  In the middle John Thornton is a washed up never was who will likely be challenged by rookie Pat Sims.  Look for Sims and fellow rookie Jason Shirley to factor heavily into Cincy’s DT rotation.  The other starter, Domato Peko, has played fairly well at DT the past two years.

Linebacker was a cluster f@!k for Cincy last year.  This year rookie Keith Rivers and Dhani Jones should be opening day starters.  Ahmad Brooks should secure the Sam job over Rashad Jeanty.  Darryl Blackstock will be in the mix as depth at WLB.

In the secondary 3^rd year man Jon Joseph along side 2^nd year man Leon Hall will make for a solid starting CB duo.  Behind them journeyman Deltha ONeal is their only notable CB for depth purposes.  The Safety spot should be an interesting battle.  Aging vet Dexter Jackson should win a starting spot and 2^nd year men Chini Ndukwe and Marvin White should compete for a starting job.  Rookie Corey Lynch may also factor into the mix.

Special Teams Outlook:  

The Bengals are still searching for their return specialist.  Glen Holt didn’t really cut it.  Rookie Andre Caldwell may win that job.  The Bengals coverage units are fairly average and the large rookie class should help a bit there, especially safety Corey Lynch.   Kicker Shayne Graham is amongst the best in the league, and Punter Kyle Larson is decent enough.

2008 Season Projections:

The Bengals figure to be in the driver’s seat in the AFC North as they finished in 3^rd place last year.  Every year since the AFC North was founded in 2001 the team that finished 3^rd the previous year won the division the next year.  The Bengals offense should be even more explosive this year.  Last year all the Bengals had was their top two WR’s and Carson Palmer who wanted to go deep.  That coupled with a banged up O-line, no TE threats, and a slower and weaker Rudi Johnson at RB led to a downturn in offensive production.  This year the O-line should be healthier.  Cincy now has some TE’s who can be legit threats in the passing game, and they should be able to field 5 dangerous WR’s at a time if they choose to.  The defense that yielded nearly 25 points per game should improve slightly.  They are deeper at LB and DT, but still have holes at all 3 levels and will field a very young and inexperienced group as a whole.  They could possibly field 7 players with 3 years or less experience in the league on defense at times, and the transition to a new DC with some 3-4 looks should take some time.   The biggest thing going for Cincy is that 3^rd place schedule. KC and the NY Jets are much easier opponents than SD and NE will be for the Steelers.

Bungles 2008 Season prediction : 8-8  (T-2nd AFC North)

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Check back here often for the Steelerfury.com live blog, featuring thoughts and comments from Hardnosed, FC, Iron_City and Perch.

2:56PM EST - Hardnosed

We're a few minutes away from the ceremonial crowing of Jake Long as the #1 pick. That's when things get interesting. Kansas City has 13 picks - if they want Matt Ryan, they might need to go up and get him. Rumor has it the Atlanta Falcons will select Ryan with the 3rd pick. Reality or smokescreen?

3:00PM EST - Hardnosed

Raja Goodell introduces the "new streamlined version" of the NFL Draft, to massive boos. Before walking the catwalk, Jake Long was standing with Merton Hanks, who is now a senior manager and assistant director of operations for the National Football League.

3:13PM EST - Hardnosed

Schefter is reporting that Matt Ryan is the Falcons' pick. If so, it's unlikely the Falcons would still want to trade into the bottom of the first round. It also increases the chances of Kansas City taking an offensive lineman with the 5th pick, which could start a run on lineman. This is a bad thing for the Steelers if they wanted a lineman - their best chance was for the Falcons to take Glenn Dorsey and for the Chiefs to snag Matt Ryan at #5.

3:25PM EST - FC

The Steelers trade down possibilities with the Falcons went down the toilet after the Falcons selected Matt Ryan. The Falcons better find some linemen to protect Ryan...They better find some recievers who can catch the ball. I am suprised by the pick...I expected Glenn Dorsey to be the pic.

3:27PM EST - FC

The Raiders select Darren Mcfadden...I'm not suprised. Al Davis likes the Home run...DMC can take it to the house any time he touches the ball. How far does Dorsey fall? Do the Saints trade up?

3:30PM EST - Hardnosed

Saints will be all over Dorsey. We'll see if Jammal Brown is involved - that could really help the Steelers as far as linemen being available.

Did anyone see Al Davis' brother working the phones for the Raiders?

3:38PM EST FC

Chiefs take Dorsey...BPA. I like the player...Hate the pick..The Chiefs need OL DE CB help. The Chiefs offense was anemic last season. I dont believe Brody Coyle is the answer at QB...Larry Johnson has a ton of miles on those legs. Dorsey has to be the second coming of Warren Sapp to be a value pick.

3:43PM EST Hardnosed

I'm happy to see Gholston NOT go to the Pats. There are questions as to how good he's really going to be because of his motor, but he's a freak who could have really helped the Patriots.

3:46PM EST FC

J -E- T - S had to take Gholston...Smart pick...Gholston will mature into a every down pass rushing demon. The only knock on Gholston coming into this draft was motor...He will take downs off. Mangini and his staff will get everything out of Gholston.

3:47PM EST Hardnosed

Patsies are on the clock. Some mocks had them taking a lineman here, and I just can't see that. The Pats are likely trying to trade down, or they'll sit tight and take a corner. I've got to believe this is too high for Keith Rivers or Jerod Mayo.

3:51PM EST FC

And we have a trade....Pioli is a mad man. He has something going every year. I believe the Saints will go with a Trojan...Sedric Ellis

3:53PM EST Hardnosed

The Ravens traded down, the whole way to 26. That's a long way to go. Jaguars will select Derrick Harvey. There are 15 picks until the Steelers' pick, and even Ryan Clady is still on the board. Things are looking good for the PS, but the run is coming. Will Albert or Otah survive?

3:54EST FC

Saints take Ellis. I give the Saints credit...They are trying to build a defense. Ravens trade down with the Jags...Derrick Harvey looks like the pick

3:57PM EST SteelPerch

The AFC North team weaknesses remain. The Bengals defense will not get a dominant DT as Ellis was taken 1 pick before them and the Ravens missed their franchise QB in Ryan. They only have a tradeable 2, 4, 5 since their 3rd is a comp pick, so they probably can't get back into round 1 for the #2 or 3 QB.

4:05EST Hardnosed

Bengals select Keith Rivers. Great pursuit guy, very athletic. However, he's not very physical. Rivers is Odell Thurman without the baggage. Still, it's a major plus that the Bengals got stuck with Rivers - visions of Glenn Dorsey were probably dancing in many a Bengals fan's head.

4:08EST FC

The Bengals pick Keith Rivers...Rivers is a typical Bungels defender. I am not fan of Rivers...He looks great in shorts...He doesnt play with enough nastiness for my taste. I have a feeling the Pats take Mckelvin or Albert

4:09PM Hardnosed

12 picks to go, and Clady, Albert, Otah and Williams are all on the board. There's still a strong chance that they're all gone. The next few picks after Buffalo will tell the story. I have to admit, it's great to be a little over an hour in and be done with 10 picks.

4:14PM FC

Thank God the Pats took Mayo...I have watched him play at Tenn...I was not a fan...He doesnt take on blocks well at all...He doesnt read and react at a high level. He maybe a star...I've been wrong before. I think Mayo is a bust...Not half the player Al Wilson was at Tenn

4:23PM FC

Broncos select Ryan Clady...Great zone blocking tackle for a zone blocking team...Perfect fit. I am fan of the player...2 years down the road he will be considered the best LT in this draft

4:25PM Hardnosed

I'm with FC about Clady - he will be a much better left tackle than Jake Long. Carolina takes Jon Stewart. Great pick for them, and it keeps the tackles on the board. Chicago, Chiefs, Texans and Eagles are the threats left at OL.

4:35PM Hardnosed

Wow, Chris Williams goes before Otah and Albert. If the Steelers want either one, they should make a move. Detroit at 15 wouldn't shock me as far as a trading partner is concerned. The nice thing is, there's going to be a run on CB's as well.

4:41PM Hardnosed

I'm not entirely sure why KC felt the need to trade up. I don't think the Cards were a big threat for Albert. Maybe someone was trying to move into the Cards' slot.

4:48PM FC The Chiefs select....Brendan Albert as soon as I heard the trade announced I knew Albert was gone. The Chiefs are off to a good start in this draft...Dorsey and Albert is a nice start to any draft. I expect the Cards to take Mendenhall

4:56PM Hardnosed

And the Steeler fans rejoiced. Gosder Cherilus is off the board. I have to say that I'm shocked he was taken that high. For the Steelers, it's a waiting game. Houston's biggest need is at left tackle as far as their line goes, so Otah likely doesn't figure in. Philadelphia is still a major threat, but they might be enticed by their choice of wideouts.

5:03PM Hardnosed

Joe Flacco is going to be a very nice, very immobile target for Steelers' pass rushers. Dan McGwire, anyone?

5:09PM Hardnosed

Otah is off the board. The Steelers CANNOT reach down their draft board for an offensive lineman. They've got to be honed in on another position - they could have moved up to 19 with a 3rd round pick if Otah was their man. A receiver would not surprise me in the least. Hopefully Henne and Brohm stick around - the Steelers might find a suitor.

5:28PM Hardnosed

Sam Baker at 21? And a 3rd and a 5th as well? Stubby, shoddy-kneed Baker?

5:45PM Hardnosed

What a courageous pick by Kevin Colbert. He thought outside the box and brought in a talent that was projected to go within the top 15th picks. Kemo and Starks will love blocking for this guy, and power football is coming back to Pittsburgh. For those knocking the pick, Mendenhall has the potential to be the best Steelers running back since Franco Harris. He is the total package of size and speed, and is a natural runner with the vision and instincts that Willie Parker lacks. Parker will be more effective now that Mendenhall is on the team.

6:07PM Hardnosed

Duane Brown is the initial first round shocker, going 26th overall to the Texans. No matter what you think of the Mendenhall pick, it definitely wasn't a reach. Brown at #26 is a reach. If the Steelers want even a 2nd tier tackle, they might have to trade up in the 2nd round.

6:33PM Hardnosed

The Miami Hurricane's string of 14 years with a first round pick continues, as Kenny Phillips goes with the last pick of the first round. Chad Henne is available for the Miami Tuna.

One of the only knocks on Rashard Mendenhall is the fact that he doesn't carry the ball securely. Kirby Wilson has some work ahead of him to cure Mendenhall of some bad habits while he's toting the ball.

7:32PM SteelPerch

Well I nailed the Donnie Avery in the early 2nd, but figured he'd be the 3rd or 4th WR by then. WOW he went early and the big WR's are still on the board!

We are 9 picks away from the Steelers pick, and if Cincy passes on Groves I think he'll be a Steeler.

8:15PM Hardnosed

Limas Sweed is a great pick in the 2nd round and once again a terrific value.  Sweed and Holmes will make it difficult for teams to bring the kitchen sink against Ben.  Throw in Ward and Miller and it's quite a receiving corps.  Of course, the OL remains a question mark.  However, the re-signing of Starks and the signing of Hartwig gave the Steelers a lot of flexibility.  It appears highly likely that Starks will open at RT and Colon will compete with Kemo to replace Faneca.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

In 2007's version of this article, I made the following statement:

"For too long, Bill Cowher retained serviceable journeymen as backups instead of young, developmental players with future starter potential. That's a great philosophy for generating stability, but it's lousy for restocking a roster with players who can be developed into future starters."

A year later and the same problem exists. Maybe it's Kevin Colbert.

In free agency, the Steelers re-signed journeyman DE's Travis Kirschke and Nick Eason and signed two career backups (Mewelde Moore and Keyaron Fox) to moderate contracts to provide depth. Short-term fixes that block answers to longer-term problems.

To their credit, the Steelers did move decisively to upgrade the center position by adding Justin Hartwig.

Don't get me wrong, having veterans as depth helps greatly with continuity and consistency. The Patriots won their first Super Bowl with a gaggle of cheap veterans who could fill a role with aptitude. However, the Patriots dismantled that blueprint as quickly as possible once their drafts began to bear fruit. Today, the Patriots have a solid, draft-built core that freed the payroll for high-wattage additions in free agency.

With only 6 picks and a rare zero compensatory selections, the Steelers don't have a lot of ammunition in 2008. Because they've stocked the roster with cheap FA's, there aren't a lot of holes when looking at the roster numerically. However, they've got a lot of work to do next offseason. Nate Washington, Marvel Smith, Chris Kemoeatu, Max Starks, Trai Essex, James Farrior and Bryant McFadden will all be free agents. A few of those guys will get new deals, but the 2008 Draft can help with the preparations for another difficult offseason.

For this reason, the Steelers' 2008 first round pick could come at any number of positions, with an eye towards filling a future need. The Steelers could construct a respectable roster for 2008 with the players they have under contract right now.

The same cannot be said for 2009, and with that in mind I give you my 2008 Steelers' draft board for the first round.

Jeff Otah
Why They Would Take Him
He has more raw ability than any other tackle in this class, including Jake Long. He has a chance to be dominant at a variety of positions, possibly even left tackle. Plays with a mean streak and finishes his man. Otah probably hasn't played his best football yet - he didn't start playing football until he was a senior in high school and only has two years' experience at the division one level.

Why They Wouldn't Take Him
He's unlikely to be on the board when they pick. Otah will be intriguing to both Carolina and Chicago well before the Steelers make their pick. The same aforementioned lack of experience means that he's raw and has some bust potential. His weight and fitness may become problems down the road. The Steelers appear set at right tackle, and that's Otah's most likely position.

Branden Albert
Why They Would Take Him
He's the prototype at left guard, the perfect choice to replace perennial All-Pro Alan Faneca. He can replace Faneca's ability to pull, and might be a better pass protector than Faneca right out of the box with his long arms and natural athleticism. An ability to transition to left tackle in the future only increases his value.

Why They Wouldn't Take Him
Will Albert be available as we all believed a month ago, or does the current Internet hype reflect real world interest? I have a hard time believing that Albert will be drafted in the top ten, but it would be surprising if he's still on the board at 23. Albert is a little raw at guard, let alone tackle, and still needs some coaching.

Gosder Cherilus
Why They Would Take Him
To increase traffic on Internet message boards. Cherilus is a solid right tackle prospect and a guy with a lot of tape to grade in a tough conference. He has extremely long arms and huge hands, and should be a solid run blocker right out of the gate. His pure size makes him tough to run around.

Why They Wouldn't Take Him
Right tackle is not a major need. Cherilus is slow and sometimes oafish. Pass protection is not his forte, as evidenced by his less than impressive stint at left tackle as a senior. He does not project at another line position.

Mike Jenkins
Why They Would Take Him
Can blanket receivers and gets his hands on a lot of balls. Is a natural athlete with great change of direction skills and a lot of upside athletically. Has long arms and a solid build. Jenkins fits into a variety of coverage schemes. Bryant McFadden is a free agent after this season, and Deshea Townsend is old.

Why They Wouldn't Take Him
He could be gone as early as the 7th pick, as there are 4 or 5 corners who will be slotted differently by each team. While he breaks up a lot of passes, he doesn't have a lot of picks to his credit, only 6 in 53 collegiate games. Jenkins isn't the most physical player, and can be hesitant in run support. The Steelers have traditionally favored taller corners.

Aqib Talib
Why They Would Take Him
Has the size the Steelers covet, though he's not as physical as his size would suggest. At 6'1", he can turn and run with most receivers. Had a great combine and proved to be a better athlete than expected. Can play man or zone and has great ball skills.

Why They Wouldn't Take Him
Carries a lot of off-field baggage. Despite great size and measurables, Talib was far from a shutdown corner in college. Jordy Nelson's abuse gets more press, but Maurice Purify of Nebraska destroyed him head-to-head as well. Thinks he's a lot better than he is, and likes to talk about it.

Malcolm Kelly
Why They Would Take Him
A great all-around football player. Runs nice routes, snatches the ball with his hands, makes blocks in the running game and scores big touchdowns. Has the potential to replace Hines Ward as the flanker, bringing better physical tools than Ward with the same kind of football intelligence.

Why They Wouldn't Take Him
Kelly shouldn't have bothered working out at all this draft season ala Lendale White - his stock would be higher right now. While his slow times at his Oklahoma pro day present a problem, most of the talk has centered on his immature reaction to them. Kelly has typically been a stand up guy, but he's raised a lot of questions as far as loyalty and professionalism.

Limas Sweed
Why They Would Take Him
Sweed offers a unique blend of size and athleticism. Has long arms and big hands and catches the ball very naturally when he's focused. Will fight for balls and should be a terrific red zone threat in the right system. With improved durability and more coaching, Sweed could be a legitimate #1 receiver in the NFL.

Why They Wouldn't Take Him
Many observers feel that Sweed should have dominated college football, and instead he mostly flashed his potential. Despite having soft hands, he dropped many catchable balls during his Texas career. He's a bit of a long strider who might have problems separating like Malcolm Kelly, but he's not the route runner that Kelly is, and he's no where near as fearless across the middle. Sweed probably belongs at Santonio Holmes' split end position in the Steelers offense.

Quentin Groves
Why They Would Take Him
In last year's version of this article, I mentioned in Lawrence Timmons' blurb that "Mike Tomlin is a fan." Well, the same applies to Groves. Groves is an athletic freak who projects perfectly as an impact player at ROLB. Incumbent (and Steelers MVP) James Harrison is getting older, and his domestic issues this offseason left egg on the Rooney family's face. The Giants won a Super Bowl by collecting gifted pass rushers.

Why They Wouldn't Take Him
Had a poor senior season after dislocating three toes. Recently had heart surgery. His work ethic and motor have been questioned, and he'll need some technique work after getting by mostly on athleticism. OLB isn't an immediate need that requires a first round pick, though some depth behind the top three is required.

Jonathan Stewart
Why They Would Take Him
Has all the tools to be a Pro Bowl running back, a workhorse around whom an offense can be built. Has stunning athleticism at superior size. Is a natural running back with vision and instincts who can also catch and block. The Steelers won a Super Bowl with a two-running back attack, and the Steelers currently lack a physical back who can salt away games on the ground.

Why They Wouldn't Take Him
There's a good chance that Stewart will be off the board when the Steelers pick. Willie Parker was leading the NFL in rushing when he broke his leg last year, and running back depth was improved with the offseason acquisition of Mewelde Moore.

Kentwan Balmer
Why They Would Take Him
Balmer is a big, stout guy who could play 2 gap DE for the Steelers. When Aaron Smith went down last year, the run defense suffered. When motivated, he's strong at the point of attack and offers above-average pursuit for a guy his size.

Why They Wouldn't Take Him
His "one big year" as a senior simply wasn't that impressive. Will never be a quality pass rusher. Might not have the tenacity to play 2 gap day in, day out. Classic underachiever. The Steelers traditionally don't take 34 defensive ends in the 1st round.

Phillip Merling
Why They Would Take Him
Shares some qualities with Richard Seymour. Is tall with long arms and some growth potential. Plays hard all the time and with great technique. Possesses a variety of pass rush moves, and knows how to use them. Would offer a lot of help in sub packages right away, and would grow into a starting position in a year or two.

Why They Wouldn't Take Him
The only reason Merling might be available is because he hasn't worked out this offseason because of a sports hernia, but the injury should not affect his availability for minicamps, let alone next season. I expect Merling to be long gone at #23. Merling would be a projection at 34 DE, which is always a risk when dealing with first round picks.

Sorted by position, here are my post-combine value charts for defensive positions. Players are ordered alphabetically by name in each round, not according to how I would rank them in that round. Further, these should not be treated as hard and fast predictions, but as general slotting among positions.

Sorted by position, here are my post-combine value charts. Players are ordered alphabetically by name in each round, not according to how I would rank them in that round. Further, these should not be treated as hard and fast predictions, but as general slotting among positions. Comparison at individual positions is possible at this stage, but comparing value across the draft (i.e., how does the 9th rated DE compare to the 7th rated DT) to make predictions is akin to trying to guess which Cincinnati Bengal will get arrested next, and I won't claim to be able to do so, especially through seven rounds. Moral of the story is, use these charts to aid in assembling your mock draft or for participating in one of the upcoming SteelerFury mock drafts (first one is tomorrow night - sign up in the forums now!), but don't bet your cousin a Corvette that Mike McGlynn is going in the 5th round based on my rankings.

Defensive player values are coming soon.

As decided upon and compiled by Hardnosed, FC and Iron_City, here is the third installment in our draft series.

Fred Davis - USC - 6025 - 250 - 3302 - 904

Bio: Was originally recruited to USC as a wide receiver. He bulked up to play TE not because he really had room to get bigger, but simply because he wasn't fast enough. Wasn't allowed to travel to the Orange Bowl in 2005 because of repeated violations of team rules. Got his act together in 2006, and had very solid seasons as a Junior and Senior.

Outlook: He arrived at USC as a 5 star WR prospect before bulking up to play TE. He's struggled to get movement but has shown to be a very willing blocker and could thrive in a west coast system and may be the only TE to crack the first round by ending up going to the Seattle Seahawks at pick #25 NFL Comparison: Tony Gonzalez

Positives: Very skilled Tight end. Runs clean sharp routes. Very good hands...Davis is a Threat after the catch. Reminds me of Tony Gonzales of the Chiefs.

Negatives: Davis is not a great blocker...Its a stretch to say Davis is a willing blocker. Davis is a blown up Wr playing TE...He doesnt have a huge body or great timed speed.

Marcellus Bennett - Texas A & M - 6070 - 253

Bio: Was a top ten recruit coming out of high school, and also played basketball for Texas A & M as a freshman and sophomore. At 6'7", he averaged 23 points and 9 boards a game as a senior in high school. Was a Mackey Award finalist as a junior.

Outlook: Exceptional hands and route running ability will allow him to work linebackers up the seam and crossing patterns and could be a nice addition clearing the middle of the field for Steve Smith in Carolina in round 3. NFL Comparison: Marcedes Lewis

Positives: Very long lean target with very long arms. He must add at least 10 pounds before he can be an every down NFL Tight End. He is pure upside...Great route runner...Super athleticism...Great Hands..He will time well. Bennett blocking is better then expected.

Negatives: Bennett is a 6-6 235 pound Tight End...He wont block anyone in the NFl at that size...He must get bigger or run fast enough to play Wr.

John Carlson - Notre Dame - 6060 - 259

Bio: Another dual sport athlete, he played for the Fighting Irish basketball team as a freshman. Was also an all-conference tennis player in high school. Started 28 games at Notre Dame during his college career and was an Academic All-American.

Outlook: A quality athelte whose production suffered in a poor Notre Dame system. He brings his lunchpail to work daily and his size could make him a nice red zone target for a team like the Cincinnatti Bengals in round 3. NFL Comparison: Heath Miller

Positives: Classic Tight End...He does nothing great...He is a quality receiver and blocker...He is a blue collar dependable player.

Negatives: Combine will make or break Carlson. Carlson may not be a NFL athlete..He compares favorably to Anthony Fasano of the Cowboys.

Jermichael Finley - 6050 - 240

Bio: Came to Texas as a 220 pound WR/TE hybrid but is leaving as a 245 pounder who has shown some toughness in the running game. Was also a standout basketball player in high school. Was a productive starter his final two seasons at Texas.

Outlook: A tireless worker with a very high ceiling and a very good red zone threat. Explodes in and out of his breaks and is a mismatch for LB's. But like most of the rest of his TE class, is limited in the run game but could emerge as a threat on day 2 to a team like the New Orleans Saints. NFL Comparison: Todd Heap

Positives: Finley is a tall athletic target with great speed. Finley is a tireless worker and could easily be the best TE in this class...He is a huge mismatch in the passing game.

Negatives: Finley needs to add some weight to play every down in the NFl.

Martin Rucker - Missouri - 6046 - 248 - 3401 - 900

Bio: Is the younger brother of longtime Panthers DE Mike Rucker. His father is a member of the Missouri House of Representatives. A three year starter and a first team All American as a senior. Like seemingly every TE prospect, he was a star basketball player in high school.

Outlook: A nice receiving threat that was very productive in college setting a school record with 84 catches. Has shown to be limited in route running and body control but could emerge as a quality TE2 in a vertical passing offense but wont be selected until day 2 to a team like the Detroit Lions NFL Comparison: Jeremy Stevens

Positives: Another classic Tight End...Rucker is a quality receiver he runs quality routes...Has dependable hands.

Negatives: Rucker is not a polished blocker...He needs alot of work...He is NFL ready in the passing game.

Kellen Davis - Michigan State - 6062 - 259 - 3302 - 900

Bio: Also played defensive end for the Spartans as a senior, helping to replace Jonal Saint-Dic when he was suspended for the Champs Sports Bowl. Was suspended because of aggravated assault allegations as a junior.

Outlook: A good looking athlete that definately passes the eyeball test with big hands and good ups. Under utilized playing inside Devin Thomas but emerged as a good run blocker in a rush offense that produced almost 200 yds/game. Very raw and may need sit and learn his craft for a year but will be a nice day 2 project for a team like the Tennessee Titans NFL Comparison: Kellen Winslow

Positives: Huge athlete...Is a far better blocker then most expect. He will test off the charts at the combine. He has NFL ability and potential.

Negatives: Davis is a one year wonder...He was awful as a JR. Davis could be a decent college player who becomes a great NFL pro.

Brad Cottam - Tennessee - 6075 - 271 - 3400 - 904

Bio: After sitting early in his career, made 6 starts as a junior and only 5 as a senior after breaking his wrist. Also was a standout high school basketball player. Academic All-American. When it comes right down to it, Cottam only caught 21 passes during his college career.

Outlook: A big lumbering TE that is like having a 3rd tackle on the field. Can be dominating in a run first system that can also sneak to the corner in the red zone after releasing from a block. Could be a late round steal to a power run team like the Jacksonville Jaguars late on day 2 NFL Comparison: Matt Spaeth

Positives: The big ugly of the bunch. Best run blocking Tight end I have seen since Jason Peters played at Arkansas. He can get movement on Defensive ends in the run game. Cottam has quality hands.

Negatives: He is not the best route runner and not a huge threat in the passing game...He is slow and plodding.

As decided upon and compiled by Hardnosed, FC and Iron_City, here is the second installment in our draft series.

1. Darren McFadden - Arkansas - 6020 - 215

Bio: A two time runner-up for the Heisman Trophy, McFadden was a pure "athlete" at Oak Grove High School in North Little Rock, Arkansas. McFadden played a variety of positions, including getting his first exposure as a part time option quarterback, a role he would successfully revisit in Arkansas' Wildcat/WildHog formation. Despite leaving after 3 seasons, McFadden is one of the most decorated players in the history of college football, in more ways than one. Has a number of bar-related off-field incidents on his record, including a fight outside an establishment in Little Rock that concluded with McFadden kicking a man until his shoe came off, then dislocating his toe on the pavement.

Outlook: A rare breed of size, speed, and athleticism. The best pure runner since LaDanian Tomlinson. No way this cat drops out of the top 10 and will probably land with the Falcons at #3 or the New York Jets at pick #6.

NFL Comparison: LaDanian Tomlinson

Positives: Mcfadden has a great combination of power and speed...What makes him elite is vision...He finds cracks and attacks the hole. He has home run speed...He can out run players with the angle. Franchise back. Great kick returner. Negatives: At this point not a 3 down back...Needs work in the passing game. He is not the most willing blocker.

2. Jonathan Stewart - Oregon - 5011 - 230

Bio: Was ranked by ESPN as the #2 prep recruit in the country in 2004 after rushing for 1,000 yards in all four seasons of his high school career. Stewart spurned Notre Dame, Ohio State and USC and stayed closer to home. Led the nation in kickoff return average (33.7) as a freshman, with 2 touchdowns. Scored 9 touchdowns in 72 touches. Lifted a team-high combined squat, press and bench at 1,342 pounds. His only season over 1,000 yards (2007) was the only season he wasn't fighting lower leg injuries.

Outlook: A gritty runner who combines athleticism and speed with raw power. He's a tough tackle for anyone and is almost certain to break the tackle in the open field on a defensive back. After seeing Duece McCallister tear another ACL, he could be a surprise pick for the Saints at #10 or fall to the Cards at pick # 16.

NFL Comparison: Fred Taylor

Positives: Fantastic balance..He breaks most arm tackles. Big back 235 pounds with great feet...Runs hard and physical...Attacks defenders. He has the speed to get the corner...He is alot more Fred Taylor then Lendale White. Stewart has excellent hands and he is a willing blocker.. Also a great returner. Negatives: He has some injury issues...Nothing serious.

3. Rashard Mendenhall - Illinois - 5011 - 224

Bio: Was a consensus top 25 recruit coming out of high school in Skokie, Illinois, where he was all-state in football and track. Saw limited playing time as a true freshman, but truly broke out as a sophomore, leading the Big Ten in yards per carry at 8.2. Carried the Illini to their first Rose Bowl appearance since 1984.

Outlook: A bruising runner with a dense frame and perfect pad level. Showed the ability to take it to the house in the bowl game. Showed a patient running style and possibly the best receiver of the top backs. A perfect fit for the Texans at pick #18.

NFL Comparison: Larry Johnson

Positives: Great size and speed..Runs hard with a great body lean. Maybe the best runner between the tackles in this draft. Fights for every yard. Neagtives: Fumbles...Needs a ton of work on ball security.

4. Felix Jones - Arkansas - 6000 - 207

Bio: Chose Arkansas at the last minute after verbally committing to Oklahoma State. Would be a lot more well-known if he had stuck with the Cowboys. Despite sitting behind the prolific McFadden, Jones has more 1,000 yard seasons to his credit than Stewart or Mendenhall.

Outlook: A one cut runner with mad explosiveness and good patience. Is a threat to go yard every time he touches the ball. Thinner frame wont allow him to be a 3 down back early on and will fill the platoon role with Marion Barber and the Dallas Cowboys nicely at pick #22.

NFL Comparison: Ryan Grant

Positives: Sprinters Speed..Can score from anywhere on the field. Excels in space....Very elusive. Very under rated hands in the passing game. Great kick returner. Negatives: Not an every down NFL back...Great compliment and situational weapon...Can he carry the ball between the tackles in the NFL?

5. Chris Johnson - East Carolina - 5104 - 195 - 3002 - 704

Bio: In high school, ran anchor for the fastest 4x100 team in the nation. Made an immediate impact as a freshman as both a running back and as a kick returner. Had neck surgery after 2005 season. Though he catches the ball well, he's got extremely small hands, even for his size.

Outlook: He claims he’ll challenge the forty yard dash time at the combine. Great hips and hits 5th gear as fast as anyone in the game. Smaller frame will relegate him to 3rd down duties and could be a surprising pick of the SF 49ers in the 2nd round.

NFL Comparison: Reggie Bush

Positives: Pure Speed...Great agility. Could be the fastest player at the combine. Great returner. If he finds day light he's gone. Negatives: Very small...Doesnt break many tackles or run hard. Not willing runner between the tackles...Wants no part of pass blocking.

6. Kevin Smith - Central Florida - 6010 - 220

Bio: Committed to George O'Leary and Central Florida as a top prep out of Miami for the chance to start early. He started as a freshman and went over 1,000 yards. Had a season for the ages before declar