Part 3 of 5

The NFL draft is more than seven months away, but Pro Football Weekly personnel analyst Nolan Nawrocki has already invested months of work in the player evaluation process. This year, PFW is proud to introduce the latest product in its line of pre-draft periodicals — the Draft Newsletter series. For $24.95, you will receive four Nawrocki-authored newsletters that are designed to keep you up-to-date on the latest happenings as they relate to the NFL draft — including the most-respected player reports and rankings available anywhere.

To give you a taste of what you will receive when you subscribe to this wildly popular new product, we are releasing some of the 222 scouting reports that appear in the first installment of the newsletter. We are counting down the top 15 senior prospects, so be sure to check back daily for the latest player reports.

The numbers in parentheses after each player indicate height, weight and 40-time — "E" means height, weight and speed are estimated or from an outside source; "e" means only the 40-yard-dash time is estimated or from an outside source.

9. TE Jermaine Gresham, #18
(6-6, 260, 4.7 E) Oklahoma

Excellent-sized, athletic pass catcher with natural hands and outstanding ball skills. Tracks the ball well and can catch it over his head with ease, although he will make some concentration drops. Is not quick in and out his routes or elusive after the catch but does get upfield quickly, runs hard after the catch and will drop his shoulder and plow through contact. Knows how to work through zones and settle in soft spots in coverage. Very good weight-room strength, although he could do a better job converting it to the field. Was ragdolled by Texas DE Sergio Kindle and could play more physical. Can wall off defenders and is strong enough to anchor in pass protection. Might be challenged to handle a complex playbook but could bring value as a solid, all-around tight end. Top-25 talent. (Note: After publication of the Draft Newsletter, Gresham suffered torn cartilage in his right knee, ending his season. The injury will require closer evaluation in the spring.)

Projected round: 1

8. DT Ndamukong Suh, #93
(6-3 7⁄8, 295, 5.0e) Nebraska

Excellent-sized, very strong, instinctive interior presence with outstanding balance - is seldom on the ground. Plays with a sense of urgency and rips through blocks. Is stout at the point of attack. Good hand strength. Plays with quickness and power. Has a very good feel for blocking schemes and is quick to fight pressure, maintain his gap and make plays to the ball. Has a tendency to play a bit upright, but still shows good strength vs. the double-team and can anchor. Strong tackler. Can shoot gaps and create pressure as an inside pass rusher. Good motor and hustle. Outstanding athletic ability. Has had some knee injuries on both sides, including a torn right anterior cruciate ligament in the spring of 2008, and durability needs to be evaluated. Can play anywhere along the defensive line, in a similar mold as Minnesota Vikings 2003 first-round pick Kevin Williams, and could fit as well in a odd front as he does in an even front. Versatility is a big plus.

Projected round: 1

7. DE Corey Wootton, #99
(6-6 1⁄8, 272, 4.8e) Northwestern

A goliath-sized, long-limbed base end with a frame to easily hold 300 pounds, Wootton is athletic enough to fall back into coverage and play on his feet. Could bring tremendous versatility to a 3-4 front by either bulking up and stacking the corner as a two-gapping fence post or as a potential outside linebacker, primarily rushing the passer at a slimmed-down weight in a similar mold as Willie McGinest. Can jack tight ends off the ground and control them with ease and is capable of splitting the double-team. Can struggle to stay on his feet in traffic. Is best when he has a clear path to the ball and closes in a hurry when he does. Can be knocked off balance coming through clutter and does not look smooth changing direction in space. Instincts are inconsistent - at times he will diagnose runs instantly. On others he will guess the wrong way and get taken out of plays run at him, leaving production on the field. Disrupts passing lanes and bats down balls at the line and on special teams, blocking kicks with his long arms. Possesses strong character and a great work ethic, but does not consistently dominate the way he is capable of and his motor does not always run. Opened his career with a neck injury that forced him to redshirt and tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in the Alamo Bowl. History of neck and knee injuries could invite closer scrutiny, but Wootton will be a four-year starter and possesses a very unique skill set. Could warrant a lot of interest if he can return to full health as a senior. Compares to Giants DE-DT Chris Canty. Top-20 talent.

Projected round: 1

PFW has launched its brand-new NFL Draft Newsletter series, with the first issue now ready for mailing. Produced by PFW's player personnel department under the direction of Nolan Nawrocki, the series consists of four information-packed issues. For more info or to subscribe — click here for PDF e-pub or here for print format.