Shockey may be traded, PFW draft league value [Archive]

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04-25-2008, 04:37 PM

League value chart
PFW projects the top 100 prospects to be drafted
By Nolan Nawrocki
April 25, 2008

Because we want to give you the most accurate mock draft possible prior to the 3 p.m. EDT Saturday start of the NFL draft, as teams try to finalize their strategies, we will not be posting a mock draft Friday. Instead, we are posting a top-100 league value chart today, and we'll post our final mock draft Saturday morning.

The following list of the top 100 players reflects the value of players based on very considerable feedback from NFL evaluators and projects more closely where players will be drafted than what type of pros they will become, the latter being reflected in PFW’s regardless-of-position rankings.

1. Jake Long, OT, Michigan
Big, strong, tough, physical and loaded with power.
2. Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State
The most elite pure pass-rushing talent in the draft.
3. Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College
The draft's only potential franchise quarterback.
4. Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
The best defensive player and overall talent in the estimation of some evaluators.
5. Chris Long, DE, Virginia
Hall of Fame-branded name pushes up value of the second-generation pass rusher.
6. Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
Electric offensive playmaker with character, fumbling concerns.
7. Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
Stout fireplug capable of clogging the middle.
8. Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy
Most talented corner and return man in the draft with rare burst.
9. Branden Albert, OG-OT, Virginia
Big, explosive, athletic and versatile, but still might be best inside.
10. Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida
Powerful weak- or strong-side pass rusher with great strength in his hands.

11. Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon
Best all-around back in the draft won't be affected much by toe injury.
12. Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State
Naturally athletic left tackle with strength deficiencies.
13. Keith Rivers, LB, USC
Versatile, three-position 'backer with pass-rush ability.
14. Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh
Physical mauler loaded with upside if he will work at it.
15. Jerod Mayo, LB, Tennessee
Speedy defensive playmaker with great range.
16. Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois
Athletic big back with nimble feet and great pass-catching ability.
17. Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College
Big, strong, physical mauler with four years of starting experience in the ACC.
18. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Tennessee State
Naturally athletic ballhawk short on toughness.
19. Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State
Big, physically imposing one-year wonder who does not always play to his size.
20. Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
Very naturally talented cover corner with lazy practice habits.
21. Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson
Big, strong base end who could be affected by hernia surgery.
22. Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas
Shifty change-of-pace back with explosive return ability.
23. Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
Arguably the draft's best receiver in the estimation of scouts.
24. Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina
Has the size, strength and power to fit into in a 3-4 front seamlessly.
25. Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt
Great feet and natural athleticism overshadowed by back concerns, lack of toughness.
26. Chad Henne, QB, Michigan
Defines toughness at a position that heavily requires it.
27. Sam Baker, OL, USC
Improved strength, short arms has some teams projecting him inside.
28. Tyrell Johnson, S, Arkansas State
Exceptional Combine performance and big-game performances drove up stock.
29. Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas
Big, instinctive, ball-hawking corner with serious character concerns.
30. Brandon Flowers, CB, Virginia Tech
Not big or fast but feisty and physical in mold of Antoine Winfield, Ronde Barber.

31. Curtis Lofton, MLB, Oklahoma
A big, physical thumper with instant starter potential.
32. Dustin Keller, TE, Purdue
Can stretch the seam and create mismatches if he can absorb a playbook.
33. Calais Campbell, DE, Miami (Fla.)
A big man who plays too small and heavy-footed after bulking up.
34. DeSean Jackson, WR, California
Dynamic return man with size and character deficiencies.
35. Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville
West Coast quarterback with enough arm and intangibles.
36. DaJuan Morgan, S, North Carolina State
Big, physical striker with enough range over the top.
37. Chilo Rachal, OG, USC
Physical mauler with limited foot quickness and athletic ability.
38. Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma
Bad knees, poor workout, questionable work habits outweigh impressive tape.
39. Lawrence Jackson, DE, USC
Four-year starter with base strength for a left end.
40. Kenny Phillips, S, Miami (Fla.)
Not strong or physical, but is an experienced, secure tackler.

Virginia Tech WR-RS Eddie Royal

41. Justin King, CB, Penn State
Excellent athlete short on instincts and cover skills.
42. Chris Johnson, RB, East Carolina
Fastest man in the draft runs too tall to stay healthy between the tackles.
43. James Hardy, WR, Indiana
King-sized receiver with questions about maturity.
44. Dan Connor, LB, Penn State
Very productive tackler with good instincts.
45. Tracy Porter, CB, Indiana
Fluid, naturally athletic man-cover corner wouldn't hit water jumping into an ocean.
46. Jamaal Charles, RB, Texas
A burner with big-play ability and fumbling problems.
47. Mario Manningham, WR, Michigan
Big-time offensive playmaker with maturity issues.
48. Martellus Bennett, TE, Texas A&M
Arguably the draft's most complete tight end in the estimation of some evaluators.
49. Oniel Cousins, OT, UTEP
Raw athlete blessed with great physical tools but is still years away.
50. Eddie Royal, WR-RS, Virginia Tech
Dynamic slot receiver and return man.
51. Cliff Avril, OLB, Purdue
Outstanding athleticism should allow him to excel as rush linebacker.
52. Jordy Nelson, WR, Kansas State
Bigger, quicker-than-fast, sure-handed version of Steve Largent.
53. Joe Flacco, QB, Delaware
Has the biggest rifle in the draft but needs much work on pulling the trigger faster.
54. Jason Jones, DE, Eastern Michigan
Could bring most value on third downs as nickel rusher.
55. Quentin Groves, OLB, Auburn
Has the speed and burst to bring some heat if he could stay healthy.
56. Ray Rice, RB, Rutgers
Thickly built stump with the strength to run inside.
57. Tyvon Branch, DB, Connecticut
Has corner-safety versatility combined with excellent special-teams and striking ability.
58. Jeremy Thompson, DE, Wake Forest
Very naturally gifted pass rusher who does not always play hard.
59. Tashard Choice, RB, Georgia Tech
Strong, physical, supercompetitive runner hell-bent on winning.
60. Donnie Avery, WR, Houston
Scouts love his speed and work ethic, hate his inconsistent hands.

61. John Carlson, TE, Notre Dame
Very smart, all-around functional football player.
62. Patrick Lee, CB, Auburn
Big, physical corner with standout special-teams ability who needs light to come on.
63. Matt Forté, RB, Tulane
A big, strong, upright runner who will truck it inside.
64. Anthony Collins, OT, Kansas
Arrogant blocker who has won the favor of OL coaches who think they can mold him.
65. Thomas DeCoud, S, California
Physical striker who still whiffs too much.
66. Trevor Laws, DT, Notre Dame
Active interior lineman who fits much better in a 40 front than the 30 played at N.D.
67. Marcus Harrison, DT, Arkansas
Is physically gifted but may struggle to reach potential because of character flaws.
68. Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona
Instinctive zone corner who will not be able to squat on as many routes in the pros.
69. Andre "Bubba" Caldwell, WR, Florida
Florida's all-time leading receiver has shown he has playmaking ability.
70. Duane Brown, OT, Virginia Tech
Raw developmental prospect pushed up the boards by overly impressed OL coaches.

71. Mike Pollak, C, Arizona State
Size-strength combo, guard versatility should make him the first center drafted.
72. Brad Cottam, TE, Tennessee
May be too tall to stay healthy but moves very well and impressed in postseason.
73. Kevin Smith, RB, Central Florida
Lack of run strength, top speed and character could make him struggle in pros.
74. Jordon Dizon, LB, Colorado
Very tough, high-motor, superenergetic 'backer who rarely gives up on a play.
75. Charles Godfrey, DB, Iowa
Size and safety-corner versatility could bring added value.
76. Early Doucet, WR, LSU
Underneath "Z" receiver aided by the system could slide.
77. Reggie Smith, DB, Oklahoma
Not as physical as scouts like at safety or as fast as desired at corner.
78. Xavier Adibi, OLB, Virginia Tech
Naturally athletic, fluid-moving 'backer with a knack for the ball.
79. Fred Davis, TE, USC
Has natural receiving skills if he could stay focused and toughen up.
80. Terrence Wheatley, CB, Colorado
Gifted cover corner with shutdown ability if he could stay healthy with ailing wrist.

81. Jerome Simpson, WR, Coastal Carolina
Terrific body control, athletic ability and hands could allow him to blossom in NFL.
82. Antwaun Molden, CB, Eastern Kentucky
Size and straight-line speed will draw great interest; toughness is still questioned.
83. Dexter Jackson, WR, Appalachian State
Has game-breaking speed if he could learn to catch the ball more consistently.
84. Roy Schuening, OG, Oregon State
Big, strong, powerful road grader with starter potential.
85. Jeremy Zuttah, C, Rutgers
College right tackle with great upside inside.
86. Bryan Kehl, LB, Brigham Young
Very athletic, assignment-sound, high-effort outside 'backer.
87. Terrell Thomas, CB, USC
Has natural cover skills to compensate for lack of burst.
88. Carl Nicks, OL, Nebraska
Arguably the most gifted lineman in the draft is limited by major character questions.
89. Josh Johnson, QB, San Diego
Dynamic offensive playmaker loaded with upside to develop into a good pro.
90. Bryan Smith, LB, McNeese State
Has the speed and athleticism to intrigue after bulking up.

91 Chevis Jackson, CB, LSU
Size, instincts and ball skills should make a great fit in a cover-2 scheme.
92. Dre Moore, DT, Maryland
Career underachiever with the raw ability to become a good pro with hard coaching.
93. Shawn Crable, DE, Michigan
Has a lot of natural talent and behind-the-line production that cannot be overlooked.
94. John Greco, OL, Toledo
Has guard-tackle swing versatility to excite teams.
95. Chris Ellis, DE, Virginia Tech
Has pass-rush ability to warrant some looks as an outside 'backer in a 3-4 front.
96. Pat Sims, DT, Auburn
Pear-shaped, natural talent who must find passion for the game.
97. Craig Stevens, TE, California
Scouts call him the draft's best blocking tight end, but must become a secure catcher.
98. Earl Bennett, WR, Vanderbilt
Plays at one speed with no "wow" factor but was big-time producer in the SEC.
99. Tavares Gooden, LB, Miami (Fla.)
Physically gifted middle 'backer with questionable eyes and instincts.
100. Kendall Langford, DE, Hampton
Size and strength will draw most interest from 30 fronts