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Notre Dame’s Quinn an early favorite to be the top pick
We realize the ink is barely dry on the list of 2006 NFL draftees, but with draft-tracking continuing to grow into a year-round pastime of major proportions, we decided it’s never too early to take a look at the top candidates expected to come off the top of the ’07 draft board.
While subject to a great deal of change before next year’s draft rolls around, what follows is a quick look at five prominent players who look like the best bets to be selected first at their positions:
Quarterback
Brady Quinn / Notre Dame  Considered to have been a first-round pick had he entered the draft as a junior, Quinn enters his senior year as the early favorite to be the ’07 draft’s top pick. Honing his craft under the watchful eye of former NFL offensive coordinator supreme Charlie Weis certainly doesn’t hurt his chances.
Wide receiver
Calvin Johnson / Georgia Tech, Jr.  Playing with an average quarterback and consistently facing double-teams has limited his production, but Johnson is a physical marvel with outstanding size, great body control and velvet hands.
Offensive tackle
Joe Thomas / Wisconsin  A torn ACL in his right knee suffered this past season could be cause for concern, but Thomas is still the total package. The former tight end has the feet of a ballerina, despite growing into a 6-foot-7, 305-pound giant.
Running back
Adrian Peterson / Oklahoma, Jr.  After slumping as a sophomore due to injuries and a makeshift O-line, Peterson is primed to rebound as a junior. Good balance to bounce off tacklers and breakaway speed set him apart.
Defensive end
Quentin Moses / Georgia  A former hoopster for the Bulldogs, Moses has great athleticism and can wreak havoc off the edge with his ability to bend and rip past pass protectors.
Five other players worthy of special mention: Michigan State QB Drew Stanton, USC OLT Sam Baker (Jr.), Penn State LB Paul Posluszny, Notre Dame WR Jeff Samardzija and Clemson DE Gaines Adams.
Notre Dame’s Quinn an early favorite to be the top pick
We realize the ink is barely dry on the list of 2006 NFL draftees, but with draft-tracking continuing to grow into a year-round pastime of major proportions, we decided it’s never too early to take a look at the top candidates expected to come off the top of the ’07 draft board.
While subject to a great deal of change before next year’s draft rolls around, what follows is a quick look at five prominent players who look like the best bets to be selected first at their positions:
Quarterback
Brady Quinn / Notre Dame  Considered to have been a first-round pick had he entered the draft as a junior, Quinn enters his senior year as the early favorite to be the ’07 draft’s top pick. Honing his craft under the watchful eye of former NFL offensive coordinator supreme Charlie Weis certainly doesn’t hurt his chances.
Wide receiver
Calvin Johnson / Georgia Tech, Jr.  Playing with an average quarterback and consistently facing double-teams has limited his production, but Johnson is a physical marvel with outstanding size, great body control and velvet hands.
Offensive tackle
Joe Thomas / Wisconsin  A torn ACL in his right knee suffered this past season could be cause for concern, but Thomas is still the total package. The former tight end has the feet of a ballerina, despite growing into a 6-foot-7, 305-pound giant.
Running back
Adrian Peterson / Oklahoma, Jr.  After slumping as a sophomore due to injuries and a makeshift O-line, Peterson is primed to rebound as a junior. Good balance to bounce off tacklers and breakaway speed set him apart.
Defensive end
Quentin Moses / Georgia  A former hoopster for the Bulldogs, Moses has great athleticism and can wreak havoc off the edge with his ability to bend and rip past pass protectors.
Five other players worthy of special mention: Michigan State QB Drew Stanton, USC OLT Sam Baker (Jr.), Penn State LB Paul Posluszny, Notre Dame WR Jeff Samardzija and Clemson DE Gaines Adams.
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