Top 10 Overall-Update #1

This is my top 10 on February 8th, 2009. This is NOT where I think these players will be drafted, but it is how good I think they will be in the NFL. Most of you might think I'm crazy for having 3 Wide Receivers in my Top 10, but that is just a testament to how talented these guys are. Here it is:

1. Michael Crabtree**, WR/Texas Tech:
He's a beast, physically overpowers CB's and has very strong hands. Has the concentration to make catches in traffic and go up and get it. Runs good routes and gets open, great size and overall athleticism. The one question with him is his relatively average (projected) straight line speed.
Projected Measurables: 6'3" 215; 4.55
2008 Stats: 93rec; 1,135yds; 12.2ypc; 18td
Best Fits: St. Louis @ #2 or Seattle @ #4



2. Everette Brown*, DE/OLB/Florida St:
He needs to show he can drop into coverage because he has the look of an OLB. Excellent athlete, very quick off the snap and has great natural pass rush ability. He'll be a hot commodity on draft day with 3-4 teams, the Combine will be very important to his stock, if he decides to work out.
Projected Measurables: 6'4" 250; 4.65
2008 Stats: 36tkls; 21.5tfl; 13.5sacks; 4ff
Best Fits: Green Bay @ #9 or San Francisco @ #10



3. Michael Oher, OT/Ole Miss:
He's a very well proportioned big man, could probably even add some weight and muscle. Gets out of his stance quickly in pass pro and his initial pop in the run game is up there with the best of 'em. Fluid athlete for a guy his size, looks like he can play LT to me but also has quality experience at OG. High risk-high reward player, mental capacity has been questioned and struggles to re-direct at times. Players with his talent don't come around too often.
Projected Measurables: 6'5" 309; 5.20
Best Fits: Cincinnati @ #6 or Jacksonville @ #8



4. Aaron Curry, LB/Wake Forest: I've been talking about him since his Sophomore year, prototypical size/strength, very productive and has a nose for the football. Not the most athletic guy around but definitely has enough to be an excellent LB. He's a playmaker who probably won't go as high as he should just because many teams don't like spending high picks on LB's.
Projected Measurables: 6'2" 245; 4.60
2008 Stats: 105tkls; 16.5tfl; 2.5sacks; 1int; 3fr
Best Fits: Kansas City @ #3 or Cleveland @ #5



5. Rey Maualuga, ILB/USC: A big, intimidating presence in the middle. Very hard hitter and can really take some heads off. He could lose some weight and can't really run with RB's in coverage. Will miss some occasional tackles but makes a ton of plays and can change the mindset of a defense.
Projected Measurables: 6'2" 254; 4.75
2008 Stats: 79tkls; 2.5tfl; 2int
Best Fits: Oakland @ #7 or Denver @ #12



6. Jeremy Maclin**, WR/Missouri: Dynamic playmaker in the return game or as a receiver, very quick and knows how to get open. He's not the biggest guy around but I definitely wouldn't call him slight. Good hands, has improved every year and should keep getting better.
Projected Measurables: 6'1" 200; 4.40
2008 Stats: 102rec; 1,260yds; 12.4ypc; 13td
Return Stats: 24.0yds/kor; 1td; 11.7yds/pr; 1td
Best Fits: Oakland @ #7 or Jacksonville @ #8



7. Brian Orakpo, DE/OLB/Texas: Physical freak of nature, should be a solid 4-3 DE but might be able to play some 3-4 rush LB. Quick off the line but doesn't have great top end speed and doesn't really look like a guy who could consistently drop into coverage and be as productive. Packs a punch once he gets to the QB, which is very often. Awesome in the weight room, and it translates well to the field.
Projected Measurables: 6'4" 260; 4.75
2008 Stats: 42tkls; 19tfl; 11.5sacks; 4ff
Best Fits: Cleveland @ #5 or Green Bay @ #9



8. Mark Sanchez*, QB/USC: His performance in the Rose Bowl was the best Bowl showing by a pocket passer in a long time. A little inconsistent, didn't face top competition but has shown that he has all the tools to be a franchise signal caller in the NFL. Might need to sit on the bench for a year or two, given his relative lack of experience. More potential than Leinart had coming out, but the Pete Carroll situation did make me scratch my head a little.
Projected Measurables: 6'3" 225; 4.80
2008 Stats: 3,207yds; 8.8yds/att; 65.8%; 34td; 10int; 3 rush td
Best Fits: Kansas City @ #3 or San Francisco @ #10



9. Eugene Monroe, OT/Virginia: Probably the most polished OT in the draft, but doesn't have quite as much potential as Oher. Great frame, looks comfortable getting to the 2nd level and has a lot of experience. Kept last year's first round pick Branden Albert at OG, should be able to contribute very soon.
Projected Measurables: 6'5" 315; 5.20
Best Fits: St. Louis @ #2 or Jacksonville @ #8



10. Percy Harvin*, WR/Florida: Extremely talented in the open field, dangerous with the ball in his hands. He's a little raw as a WR but has a ton of tools to work with. Looks like he'll be a great #2 WR (depending on the scheme & team) and game breaker at the next level, but doesn't have great size and might do most of his damage in the return game early on. Should run very well at the combine.
Projected Measurables: 5'11" 195; 4.40
2008 Stats: 40rec; 644yds; 16.1ypc; 7td
Rushing Stats: 70rush; 659yds; 9.4avg; 10td
Best Fits: San Francisco @ #10 or NY Jets @ #17



Best of the Rest (Loosely Ranked)
2nd Tier:
Darrius Heyward-Bey*, WR/Maryland
B.J. Raji, DT/Boston College
Knowshon Moreno*, RB/Georgia
Malcolm Jenkins, DB/Ohio St
Peria Jerry, DT/Ole Miss
D.J. Moore*, CB/Vanderbilt
Andre Smith*, OT/Alabama
Matthew Stafford*, QB/Georgia
Jason Smith, OT/Baylor

3rd Tier:
Shonn Greene*, RB/Iowa
Brian Cushing, LB/USC
Hakeem Nicks*, WR/North Carolina
Chris Wells*, RB/Ohio St
Michael Johnson, DE/Gerogia Tech
LeSean McCoy*, RB/Pittsburgh
James Laurinaitis, ILB/Ohio St
Brandon Pettigrew, TE/Oklahoma St
Aaron Maybin**, OLB/Penn St
Alphonso Smith, CB/Wake Forest
Vontae Davis*, CB/Illinois

4th Tier:
James Casey**, TE/Rice
Sean Smith*, DB/Utah
Jamon Meredith, OL/South Carolina
Fili Moala, DT/USC
Paul Kruger**, DE/Utah
Donald Brown*, RB/Connecticut
Josh Freeman*, QB/Kansas St
Eben Britton*, OT/Arizona
Juaquin Iglesias, WR/Oklahoma
Kenny Britt*, WR/Rutgers
Duke Robinson, OG/Oklahoma
Clay Matthews, LB/DE/USC

5th Tier:
Ron Brace, NT/Boston College
Keenan Lewis, CB/Oregon St
Antoine Caldwell, C/Alabama
Tyson Jackson, DE/LSU
Larry English, DE/Northern Illinois
Macho Harris, DB/Virginia Tech
Derrick Williams, WR/Penn St
Alex Mack, C/California
Derek Pegues, DB/Mississippi St

Rising Prospects (Not Ranked)
Jarron Gilbert, DL/San Jose St
Bernard Scott, RB/Abilene Christian
Robert Ayers, DE/Tennessee
Coye Francies, CB/San Jose St
Deon Butler, WR/Penn St
Shawn Nelson, TE/Southern Miss
Louis Delmas, S/WMU
Jarrett Dillard, WR/Rice
Tyronne Greene, OG/Auburn
Tyrone McKenzie, OLB/USF
Lee Robinson, OLB/Alcorn St
Sebastian Vollmer, OT/Houston