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It’s never too early to begin taking a look at next year’s draft class. After a bevy of junior linebackers surprisingly decided to stay in school for their senior seasons, next year’s LB class appears to be very strong; next year’s junior class appears heavy in pass rushers. Heading into next season, there are several signalcallers who could emerge but no bona fide first-rounder. The typical powerhouses — Ohio State, LSU, Oklahoma and USC — remain heaviest in young talent.
Senior pro prospects
1. MLB James Laurinaitis | Ohio State
Instinctive, playmaking middle ’backer with a terrific nose for the ball will look to add a national title to a trophy mantel that already includes Nagurski (nation’s best defensive player) and Butkus (nation’s best linebacker) awards.
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Ohio State LB James Laurinaitis (left)
and Mississippi OT Michael Oher
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2. OLT Michael Oher | Mississippi
The subject of the national best-seller (and soon to be a movie) “The Blind Side” by Michael Lewis, Oher is a rare physical specimen with a chance to be great if he continues to overcome trust issues stemming from his rough upbringing.
3. DE Michael Johnson | Georgia Tech
Chan Gailey might have been relieved of his duties for not getting the rangy, long-limbed, playmaking pass rusher on the field more often.
4. CB Malcolm Jenkins | Ohio State
With the size to play safety and the speed to line up at cornerback, Jenkins’ versatility could be very attractive in the pros if he toughens up.
5. MLB Rey Maualuga | USC
Muscle-bound sledgehammer in the mold of Junior Seau, Maualuga often looks like a man among boys, and he dominated in the Rose Bowl.
6. TE Brandon Pettigrew | Oklahoma State
A big, strong, complete tight end with natural athleticism, agility and strength to run after the catch, Pettigrew needs to stay focused after a postseason arrest in January.
7. MLB Darry Beckwith | LSU
Very tough, instinctive, physical thumper with a great knack for the ball, Beckwith was a steady force in the middle for the defending national champs and finally should be healthy after undergoing knee surgery down the stretch last season.
8. DE Tyson Jackson | LSU
A big, strong base end, Jackson will bring the most value as a five-technique in a 3-4 front.
9. OLT Phil Loadholt | Oklahoma
A mountain of a man who is still raw and learning the game, Loadholt looks like a young Bryant McKinnie.
10. LB Brian Cushing | USC
Big, strong, athletic and physical with pass-rush ability if he can stay healthy.
Junior pro prospects
1. QB Matt Stafford | Georgia
Has one of the best arms in the country and tremendous upside but must continue to make major strides in his accuracy and his understanding of the game.
2. CB Vontae Davis | Illinois
Big, physical, very fast cover corner with shutdown ability and NFL bloodlines.
3. DE Everette Brown | Florida State
Might only have been a part-time starter but is more physically gifted than former Seminole Kamerion Wimbley.
4. WR Darrius Heyward-Bey | Maryland
A very good-sized, sure-handed, vertical threat with run-after-the-catch ability, explosive return skills and big-play ability.
5. RB Chris Wells | Ohio State
Has it all — impressive size, power, run strength, vision and finishing speed.
6. DE Auston English | Oklahoma
Led the Big 12 in sacks (9½) despite missing three games with a hairline fracture in his right ankle and playing the final two games of the season with a rod in his ankle.
7. DE Willie Young | North Carolina State
Came on strong down the stretch and looks like a young Manny Lawson.
8. DE Maurice Evans | Penn State
Emerged as a very disruptive pass rusher.
9. S Taylor Mays | USC
Very athletic back-half defender with impressive size-speed ratio. Might be too big for his own good and could project to linebacker.
10. TE Jermaine Gresham | Oklahoma
Very physically gifted, soft-handed pass catcher with the movement skills and grace of a wide receiver.
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2008 Draft Preview
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The 2008 NFL draft may be over, but if you still want more in-depth analysis of the prospects, Pro Football Weekly has two publications that will fit the bill — the 2008 Draft Preview book and the 2008 Draft Guide.
The 200-page 2008 Draft Preview book, which sells for $19.95, contains detailed scouting reports on nearly 500 NFL prospects, including each player's height, weight, 40-time, positives and negatives. You'll also get our rankings of more than 900 draft prospects and a breakdown of each NFL team's needs, by position. Written by PFW personnel analyst Nolan Nawrocki and the editors of PFW, the Draft Preview book is widely recognized as the "bible of the draft."
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2008 Draft Guide
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Meanwhile, the 2008 Draft Guide is a 152-page magazine that sells for $6.99, showcasing feature stories on Arkansas RB Darren McFadden and the secret to drafting success, a sleeper watch, a fantasy forecast and more. In addition, you'll find scouting reports on more than 350 players, draft previews for all 32 teams (including each club's top five areas of need and a "hot list" of prospects who fit the team's schemes) and rankings of the prospects by position.
The 2008 Draft Guide is available now at newsstands and bookstores throughout the country. Both of the above publications can be ordered now from the PFW store. You will receive a discount if you purchase both the 2008 Draft Preview book and the 2008 Draft Guide magazine from the PFW store with our Combo-Pack offer.
Related Articles:
Links to our online draft coverage
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