Post Combine Positional Rankings

QB

Jamarcus Russell, LSU

Brady Quinn, Notre Dame

Drew Stanton, Michigan State

Trent Edwards, Stanford

Troy Smith, Ohio State

Sleeper - John Beck, BYU

RB

Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma

Marshawn Lynch, California

Kenny Irons, Auburn

Chris Henry, Arizona

Michael Bush, Louisville

Antonio Pittman, Ohio State

Lorenzo Booker, Florida State

Sleeper - Garret Wolfe, Northern Illinois

WR

Calvin Johnson, Georgia Tech

Dwayne Bowe, LSU

Robert Meachem, Tennessee

Ted Ginn, Ohio State

Sidney Rice, South Carolina

Anthony Gonzalez, Ohio State

Dwayne Jarrett, USC

Sleeper - Legeda Naanee, Boise State

TE

Greg Olsen, Miami

Zach Miller, Arizona State

Ben Patrick, Delaware

Matt Spaeth, Minnesota

Joe Newton, Oregon State

Sleeper - Jonny Harline, BYU

OT

Joe Thomas, Wisconsin

Levi Brown, Penn State

Joe Staley, Central Michigan

Tony Ugoh, Arkansas

James Marten, Boston College

Ryan Harris, Notre Dame

Doug Free, Northern Illinois

Sleeper - Jarred Gaither, Maryland

OG

Justin Blalock, Texas

Ben Grubbs, Auburn

Arron Sears, Tennessee

Mansfield Wrotto, Georgia Tech

Josh Beekman, Boston College

Manuel Ramirez, Texas Tech

Tim Duckworth, Auburn

Sleeper - Gabe Hall, Texas Tech

C

Ryan Kalil, USC

Samson Satele, Hawaii

Doug Datish, Ohio State

Dustin Fry, Clemson

Leroy Harris, North Carolina State

Sleeper - Drew Mormino, Central Michigan

DE

Jamal Anderson, Arkansas

Gaines Adams, Clemson

Adam Carriker, Nebraska

Charles Johnson, Georgia

Anthony Spencer, Purdue

Tim Crowder, Texas

Jarvis Moss, Florida

Sleeper - Bryan Robison, Texas

DT

Alan Branch, Michigan

Amobi Okoye, Louisville

Quinn Pitcock, Ohio State

Tank Tyler, North Carolina State

Jonathan Harrell, Tennessee

Ray McDonald, Florida

Brandon Mebane, California

Sleeper - Keith Jackson, Arkansas

OLB

Paul Posluszny, Penn State

Jon Beason, Miami

Tim Shaw, Penn State

Lawrence Timmons, Florida State

Rufus Alexander, Oklahoma

Sleeper - Antwan Barnes, FIU

ILB

Patrick Willis, Missouri

Brandon Siler, Florida

David Harris, Michigan

Rory Johnson, Mississippi

HB Blades, Pittsburgh

Tony Taylor, Georgia

Anthony Waters, Clemson

Sleeper - Jon Abbate, Wake Forest

CB

Chris Houston, Arkansas

Leon Hall, Michigan

Darrell Revis, Pittsburgh

Aaron Ross, Texas

Marcus McCauley, Fresno State

Eric Wright, UNLV

Jonathan Wade, Tennessee

Sleeper - Daymeion Hughes, California

S

LaRon Landry, LSU

Reggie Nelson, Florida

Brandon Merriweather, Miami

Sabby Piscitelli, Oregon State

Michael Griffin, Texas

John Wendling, Wyoming

Aaron Rouse, Virginia Tech

Sleeper - Daren Stone, Maine

S and CB Combine Risers

Chris Houston, CB, Arkansas - Houston went into the Combine as a sleeper of sorts, projected as a day 1 pick, but with many curious about his ability to completely shut down some of the best WRs in college football. Houston blew everyone away this weekend, making up for his lack of height (slightly below 5'10") with the sheer amount of physical superlatives in other drills. Houston easily had the best physique, wowing onlookers with his LB-like build and strength as he posted 27 bench reps, no doubt the reason he is a killer in press coverage. In addition to that he ran the fastest 40 of all DBs, soundly beating a number of noted speedsters with a 4.32. Combining those physical numbers with his collegiate performance, I cannot see how Houston would not be a mid-first round pick.

LaRon Landry, S, LSU - Landry came into the weekend locked into a battle with Reggie Nelson and Brandon Merriweather over who would be the first safety selected. Landry stood out this weekend running the second fastest 40 behind Houston. Already much larger than the other two, Landry proved he was much faster as well, likely vaulting him into the top 10.

Sabby Piscitelli, SS, Oregon State - Watching Piscitelli play at 220lbs+ ambling around the Beavers's secondary this season, he looked for sure like a candidate to be converted to LB as a pro. However his speed and agility times were quite impressive. Sabby ran a sub 4.5 40 along with posting a 3.9 shuttle which was the best among all athletes invited to workout this weekend. He is a tackling machine with the speed to cover. He still might get converted into a LB ala Brian Urlacher but that depends on what team drafts him.

Jonathan Wade, CB, Tennessee - Wade came in with many seeing the SEC standout as a S due to speed concerns. Wade swept away those concerns with a blazing 4.36 40 time that will surely keep him at CB and coupled with his sure tackling ability locks him in as a day 1 selection.

LB and DL Combine Risers

Adam Carriker, DE, Nebraska - Carriker validated himself as the most athletic of the large 3-4 type DEs, weighing in at 290lbs, but running a shuttle drill and a 3-cone drill in the top three of defensive lineman at the combine, most of whom he outweighs by 30lbs. Carriker has solidified a top 15 slot in the draft.

Patrick Willis, LB, Missouri - Willis had one of the best seasons of any LB in the draft as well as having a standout Senior Bowl. He went into the Combine as an early 2nd rounder or a late 1st rounder because of questions about his athleticism. Willis answered the skeptics by posting a blazing 4.51 40 and a 39 inch vertical leap, likely solidifying a slot in the middle of the 1st round.

Tim Shaw, LB, Penn State - After spending a season playing DE, Shaw reminded everyone at the combine how well he could play MLB. Shaw ran a 4.51 40 and posted a shuttle time in the top 3 of all LBs. Shaw has served notice and the MLB rankings will probably be shuffled because of it. Shaw will likely be a day 1 selection after this weekend.

Dallas Sartz, LB, USC - Sartz went into the weekend as a clear late round pick, with many believing that he was not athletic enough to start at LB in the NFL. Sartz answered those questions, not with his speed, but with his impressive change of direction abilities, posting times near the top of all LBs at the Combine. Sartz's numbers are reminiscent of times of Zach Thomas or John Holocek, notoriously slow in the 40 with exceptional quickness. Only difference is that Sartz is faster than those two. Sartz will likely be selected at the beginning of day 2 now.

QB, RB, and WR Combine Risers

Drew Stanton, QB, Michigan State - Stanton showed off better than expected arm strength and accuracy, especially on the 15 yard out patterns. In addition to a great physique, Stanton also impressed in his 40 time, which was in the low 4.7s. Stanton seems poised at this point to take over the 3rd rated QB position behind Russell and Quinn.

Anthony Gonzalez, WR, Ohio State - Gonzalez turned in an impressive workout, posting a 40 in the mid 4.4s, soft and consistent hands in the pass catching drills, as well as matching the best shuttle time among wide outs at 4.08s. Gonzalez has solidified a spot in round 2 with the possibility of sneaking into the bottom of round 1 depending on the workouts of those that bypassed performing at the combine.

D'Juan Woods, WR, Oklahoma State - Woods athletic numbers tended to be in the middle of the pack of this impressively fast group of WRs. However Woods displayed far and away the best hands of any offensive player at the combine, using his unusually large and soft mitts to pull in anything and everything near him, including a spectacular one-handed snag over his shoulder while in a full sprint. Woods might have snuck into Day 1 with his performance.

Chris Henry, RB, Arizona State - Henry probably had the biggest jump of the day, going from a late round pick to a likely first day pick. Henry weighed in at 230lbs and then went on to tie for the fastest 40 time among all RBs at the combine as well as one of the top shuttle times. He has only started a handful of games at ASU due to injuries but one team might jump on his excellent combo of size and speed at the end of round 1.

OL and TE Combine risers

Greg Olsen, TE, Miami - Olsen probably made himself the most money this weekend with his 4.5 40, good reps on the bench, and display of pass catching abilities. He will probably move to he middle of the first round at this point. However I am still not sold on him being worth that high of a pick. He disappeared in too many games for someone with the talent and skills that he has. People make excuses for him using the offense and QB as an excuse, but true talent does not get completely snuffed out by poor play around him. Calvin Johnson had one of the worst QBs tossing the ball to him and he stood out every game that he was in.

Justin Blalock, OG, Texas - Blalock showed nimble feet, good balance, great bend at the knees and ankles, and top notch strength in his workouts. His 40 was average but that is an overrated measurement of offensive linemen anyway. He should go in the middle of the first and deserves to be taken that high.

Tony Ugoh, OT, Arkansas - Ugoh came into the Combine with the reputation of being a little bit raw skill wise but having great athleticism for his position. Sure enough Ugoh performed great in all of the measureables including jumping a whopping 9'9" in the broad jump after he had pulled a quad. He showed that he is athletic enough to be a LT in the league but he needs coaching in proper technique first. He should be a second rounder.

Michael Allen, TE, Whitworth - Allen came into the Combine as the only DIII prospect in attendance. He showed that he has some ability, displaying good pass catching skills, and a 40 time that was the second fastest behind Olsen. He solidified that he would be drafted and might even make it into the 4th round.

Pre - FA Team Needs

Arizona - DE, LT, DT, FS, CB

Atlanta - DE, S, RB, CB, QB

Baltimore - RB, QB, OT, MLB, CB

Buffalo - CB, MLB, DE, RT, CB

Carolina - RT, MLB, OG, WR, QB

Chicago - DT, TE, QB, OG, OLB

Cincinnati - CB, OLB, DT, DE, OLB

Cleveland - LT, CB, OG, DE, RB

Dallas - FS, OT, WR, ILB, CB

Denver - DE, CB, FS, RB, SS

Detroit - DE, OT, WR, RB, OG

Green Bay - RB, DT, TE, FS, WR

Houston - RB, DT, S, OLB, QB

Indianapolis - DT, OLB, MLB, DE, RB

Jacksonville - DE, OLB, MLB, SS, OL

Kansas City - OG, WR, S, C, QB

Miami - QB, DT, CB, FS, C

Minnesota - WR, QB, CB, DT

New Orleans - CB, DT, SS, OLB, DT

New England - LB, SS, CB, RB, WR

New York Giants - CB, LT, DT, OLB, FS

New York Jets - CB, DT, OLB, RB, OLB

Oakland - QB, OT, OG, WR, OLB

Philadelphia - OLB, CB, MLB, WR, FS

Pittsburgh - C, OG, DE, CB, OT

San Diego - WR, SS, DE, ILB, OT

San Fransisco - WR, CS, SS, DT, DE

Seattle - DT, C, TE, OG, CB

St. Louis - DE, OLB, CB, RB, WR

Tampa Bay - DE, WR, QB, DT, CB

Tennessee - CB, DE, OT, WR, S

Washington - DE, DT, CB, FS, OT

Guys to watch at Combine

Chris Houston, CB, Arkansas - Houston went under the radar of more prominent prospects for most of the regular season. Houston's work on the field should bring him a lot of acclaim in draft circles however. When matched up against some of the top WRs in the country, Houston stood out when it mattered most. Houston held heavyweights such as Dwayne Jarrett, Robert Meachem, Dallas Baker, Dwayne Bowe, Courtney Taylor, and Earl Bennett, in check well below their season averages. In fact the only WR to get the best of Chris Houston this season was Sidney Rice. Houston has blazing speed and a phenomenal upper body for a CB, making his jams at the line very effective. I would not be surprised to see Houston turn in a 4.4 4o time and 25 reps in the bench. He is going to get himself noticed this weekend.

Michael Coe, CB, Alabama State - Coe will use this weekend to display his formidable physical talents in front of every pro team that did not get a chance to see him play until he made a statement as an injury replacement. Expect Coe to post a 40 in the 4.4s along with great change of direction abilities. He is raw from a technique standpoint but that should improve with quality coaching at the next level.

Joe Staley, LT, Central Michigan - Staley is a converted TE moved to LT his sophomore year of college. He has great feet and movement skills and should display those abilities this weekend, moving him into the bottom of the first round. Staley still needs to add strength, but it is clear that he was a state qualifying 200m sprinter in high school when the 300lb tackle runs down the field.

Lorenzo Booker, RB, Florida State - Booker will make himself some money this weekend as he reminds scouts what a phenomenal talent he is with his sure to be gaudy numbers in the 40 and the directional drills. Also on display will be his receiver-like hands and instant acceleration. His size will be a drawback, but it also makes him an asset on screens hiding behind those lineman.

Pre-Combine Rankings

Pre-combine Positional ranking

QB

Jamarcus Russell, LSU

Brady Quinn, Notre Dame

Drew Stanton, Michigan State

RB

Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma

Marshawn Lynch, California

Michael Bush, Louisville

3rd Down RB

Lorenzo Booker, Florida State

Darius Walker, Notre Dame

Garrett Wolfe, Northern Illinois

WR
Calvin Johnson, Georgia Tech

Dwayne Bowe, LSU

Ted Ginn, Ohio State

TE

Zach Miller, Arizona State

Greg Olsen, Miami

Ben Patrick, Delaware

OT

Joe Thomas, Wisconsin

Levi Brown, Penn State

Joe Staley, Central Michigan

OG

Justin Blalock, Texas

Ben Grubbs, Auburn

Arron Sears, Tennessee

C

Ryan Kalil, USC

Doug Datish, Ohio State

Dustin Fry, Clemson

4-3 DE

Jamal Anderson, Arkansas

Gaines Adams, Clemson

Jarvis Moss, Florida

3-4 DE

Jamal Anderson, Arkansas

Adam Carriker, Nebraska

Charles Johnson, Georgia

DT

Alan Branch, Michigan

Amobi Okoye, Louisville

Johnathan Harrell, Tennessee

NT

Alan Branch, Michigan

Johnathan Harrell, Tennessee

Quinn Pitcock, Ohio State

OLB

Lawrence Timmons, Florida State

Paul Posluszny, Penn State

Jon Beason, Miami

MLB

Patrick Willis, Mississippi

Brandon Siler, Florida

Tony Taylor, Georgia

CB

Daymeion Hughes, California

Chris Houston, Georgia

Darrell Revis, Pittsburgh

S

Laron Landry, LSU

Reggie Nelson, Florida

Brandon Merriweather, Miami

Altered perceptions at the Senior Bowl

Risers

Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU - No one did more during the week to improve his draft stock. Bowe essentially put on a clinic during the week, especially during one-on-one and passing skeleton drills. Bowe exhibited tremendous body control, strong hands, polished route running, and effective blocking. The strength of his hands really came through in several jump ball situations in which he was able to pull the ball out of the hands of a DB on several occasions. His ability to position his body to shield a close defender from the ball and his strong lower body that allows him to break tackles make him an ideal fit for a West Coast offense. He will fit well anywhere, but look for a West Coast based offense to value his skills at a higher level than a vertical based passing system.

Ryan Kalil, C, USC - Kalil came into the Senior Bowl, likely positioned as the second or third best center prospect, but clearly leaves Mobile as the top rated center. Kalil displayed a technical expertise far superior to the other lineman at the combine, showing great hand placement, an intuitive knee bend, and a unique knowledge of hip positioning. Kalil consistently held off larger players in one-on-one and running game drills, even on several occasions in which he was initially beat, shifting his hips on the fly to regain leverage against his opponent. The one drawback to Kalil's technical expertise is that he has little room to improve in that area and may have a lower ceiling than other players. Regardless, once he gets his playing weight to 300, Kalil will be ready to play, especially in a zone blocking scheme.

Brandon Merriweather, S, Miami - Merriweather was able to display his great athleticism and aggressiveness during the week, showing an explosive break on the ball and an ability to "appear out of nowhere" while playing safety. Merriweather was also lined up at CB during the week. While not displaying skills to be a full time corner, he showed enough speed and ability to be a nickelback or a cover-2 corner if it was needed by his team. Eventually, as he became more comfortable with turning toward the ball with his back to it, he could possibly be a starter at CB in the right scheme, but his strengths will always lie at the safety position.

Fallers

Kevin Kolb, QB, Houston - Kolb entered the Senior Bowl positioned as the third best QB on many boards across the league. However, during the week, Kolb proved to be more of a product of being in the same system offensively for eight seasons. Many times during the week did he look unconfident and tentative with where to deliver the ball down the field. His arm strength also did not appear to be a fit for the vertical passing game.

Paul Williams, WR, Fresno State - Williams has every physical tool necessary to become an elite receiver except for the most important one - hands with which to catch the ball. Whether that is simply a lack of concentration or some sort of physical weakness remains to be seen. Williams could also improve his route running, which is not at all polished. Facing the competition he did in college, he could probably get by on pure athleticism. That will not be the case in the NFL however and Williams need to understand the fundamentals of route running if he wants to become a consistent contributor on offense.

Martrez Milner, TE, Georgia - Dressed in full gear, sprinting down the field, Milner looks to be the ideal physical specimen to play TE. However he consistently displays a maddening ability to drop the easiest passes despite his massive hands. I'm not sure how a team could consider him a starter at the next level with such horrible hands.

Mission of Draft Goat

Draft Goat was created to provide you with a knowledgeable and informative take on the NFL Draft, a take that does not get bogged down with hype and frivolity, but is based on fact and past performance. What better animal to convey the unique draft wisdom and advice contained on this page, than a goat, one of the most strategic and calculating animals on the planet. To summarize, if your favorite team had a Draft Goat in the war room with them, they would not be drafting as high as they are right now.