Who's coming out early?

[RashanGary]

Branden Albert Virginia OG Junior
Martellus Bennett Texas A&M TE Junior
Davone Bess Hawaii WR Junior
Calais Campbell Miami DE Junior
Jamaal Charles Texas RB Junior
Ryan Clady Boise State OL Junior
Anthony Collins Kansas OT Junior
Jermichael Finley Texas TE Sophomore
Brandon Flowers Virginia Tech CB Junior
James Hardy Indiana WR Junior
Derrick Harvey Florida DE Junior
Erin Henderson Maryland LB Junior
Jack Ikegwuonu Wisconsin CB Junior
Ray Rice Rutgers RB Junior
Pat Sims Auburn DT Junior
Kevin Smith UCF RB Junior
Taj Smith Syracuse WR Junior
Aqib Talib Kansas CB Junior


This list is from ESPN's Scouts Inc.

[RashanGary]

Underclassman report card from ESPN insider

Going
Kenny Phillips, S, Miami
6-foot-1½, 203 pounds, 4.45 40-yard dash
His production dipped a bit during the 2007 season, but he still possesses a first-round combination of athleticism and toughness. Phillips should extend Miami's streak of 13 consecutive years with at least one player selected in the first round.
Draft projection: Mid-to-late first round.


Mario Urrutia, WR, Louisville
6-5½, 218, 4.65
Urrutia made a surprising decision following an injury-plagued 2007 season. He is a big receiver with playmaking ability on jump balls, but struggles to separate and his routes need polishing.
Draft projection: Fourth round.

Johnny Dingle, DE, West Virginia
6-3, 270, 4.80
The former Florida transfer notched 46 tackles and a team-high eight sacks for West Virginia in 2007. The 23-year-old defensive tackle will likely need to make the transition to end in the pros.
Draft projection: Fourth to fifth round.


Franklin Dunbar, OT, Middle Tennessee State
6-5, 325, 5.30
Dunbar is an unpolished talent with a great frame. Financial hardship played a major role in his decision and he could warrant late-round consideration as a developmental prospect.
Draft projection: Late rounds or free agent.

Calais Campbell, DE, Miami
6-7 5/8, 279, 4.80
Biggest pro: Frame.
Biggest con: Struggles to beat the double team.
Draft projection: Late first or second round.




Staying


Travis Beckum, TE, Wisconsin
6-4, 228, 4.55
The undersized tight end made a wise decision to return to school. Beckum could easily become the first tight end taken in the 2009 draft by improving bulk and strength.


Brian Cushing, OLB, Southern California
6-4, 243, 4.60
A versatile outside linebacker; Cushing could play Sam in a 4-3 scheme or rush linebacker in a 3-4 at the next level. A healthy and productive senior season should land Cushing a spot in the first round of next year's draft.


Sean Lee, OLB, Penn State
6-2, 232, 4.65
Like Paul Posluszny (Bills) and Dan Connor, Lee can show NFL scouts more versatility by moving to inside linebacker as a senior.

Rey Maualuga, ILB, Southern California
6-2½, 251, 4.68
Maualuga is arguably the most naturally gifted of USC's trio of future first-round linebackers. He also is the least polished of the three, which makes his decision to return to school a wise one.

Pat Sims, DT, Auburn
6-3½ 310, 4.96
Sims is a quick and powerful defensive tackle that notched 3.5 sacks and 15 quarterback hurries in his first season as a full-time starter in 2007. He could land a spot in the first round of the 2009 draft if his overall technique improves as a senior.


Kevin Smith, RB, UCF
6-1, 212, 4.50
Smith burst onto the scene as the nation's leading rusher this fall. He could improve his draft stock to the first- or second-round range with a similarly productive senior campaign in 2008.


On The Fence



Offense
Chase Daniel, QB, Missouri
5-10, 225, 4.70
Biggest pro: Dual-threat ability.
Biggest con: Marginal height.
Draft projection: Third or fourth round.


Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
6-2, 212, 4.40
Biggest pro: Exceptional athleticism.
Biggest con: Relatively slender lower body
Draft projection: Top five.

Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon
5-11, 233, 4.50
Biggest pro: Combination of burst and power.
Biggest con: Durability.
Draft projection: First round.


Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas
6-0, 202, 4.45
Biggest pro: Speed/versatility.
Biggest con: Can he handle the load?
Draft projection: Late first round


Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois
5-11, 225, 4.55
Biggest pro: Physical running style.
Biggest con: Lack of elusiveness.
Draft projection: Late first or second round.


Ray Rice, RB, Rutgers
5-9, 197, 4.55
Biggest pro: Natural running skills.
Biggest con: Small frame for featured back.
Draft projection: Second or third round.


Steve Slaton, RB, West Virginia
5-10, 196, 4.43
Biggest pro: Speed/versatility.
Biggest con: Size/toughness.
Draft projection: Second or third round.


DeSean Jackson, WR, California
6-0, 179, 4.35
Biggest pro: Open-field running.
Biggest con: Bulk/durability.
Draft projection: Early to middle first round.


Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma
6-4, 217, 4.50
Biggest pro: Strong hands.
Biggest con: Disappears at times.
Draft projection: Middle to late first round.


Mario Manningham, WR, Michigan
6-0, 188, 4.45
Biggest pro: Vertical pass-catching ability.
Biggest con: Not physical enough yet.
Draft projection: First or second round.


James Hardy, WR, Indiana
6-5½, 218, 4.58
Biggest pro: Exceptional package of size and athleticism.
Biggest con: Off-field baggage.
Draft projection: First or second round.


Earl Bennett, WR, Vanderbilt
6-1, 205, 4.50
Biggest pro: Route-running skills.
Biggest con: Lacks second gear in open field.
Draft projection: Second round.


Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State
6-1¾, 215, 4.45
Biggest pro: Big-play potential.
Biggest con: Inexperience.
Draft projection: Second round.


Martellus Bennett, TE, Texas A&M
6-6½, 250, 4.75
Biggest pro: Impressive speed for frame.
Biggest con: Not as naturally athletic as straight-line speed would indicate.
Draft projection: Second round.


Chase Coffman, TE, Missouri
6-5 7/8, 249, 4.75
Biggest pro: Reliable hands.
Biggest con: Not as explosive as college production indicates.
Draft projection: Second or third round.


Cornelius Ingram, TE, Florida
6-4, 235, 4.65
Biggest pro: Natural athleticism.
Biggest con: Bulk/strength as a blocker.
Draft projection: Second or third round.


Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State
6-6, 317, 5.15
Biggest pro: Combination of frame and feet.
Biggest con: Lacking explosive power.
Draft projection: Mid-first round.


Michael Oher, OT, Mississippi
6-5, 323, 5.15
Biggest pro: Combination of size, feet and strength.
Biggest con: Unpolished technique.
Draft projection: First or second round.


Phil Loadholt, OT, Oklahoma
6-7½ 340, 5.25
Biggest pro: Natural athleticism for his size.
Biggest con: Inexperience as juco transfer in 2007.
Draft projection: Second round.


Duke Robinson, G, Oklahoma
6-5, 335, 5.30
Biggest pro: Mauling run-blocker.
Biggest con: Range in pass protection.
Draft projection: First or second round.



Defense
Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State
6-3 5/8, 255, 4.65
Biggest pro: Combination of power, quickness and motor.
Biggest con: Smaller frame.
Draft projection: First round.

Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida
6-4½, 250, 4.65
Biggest pro: Athleticism for his frame.
Biggest con: Bulk and strength versus the run.
Draft projection: First round.


Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU
6-5, 289, 4.75
Biggest pro: Versatility; can play power end in 4-3 scheme and/or five technique in 3-4.
Biggest con: Top-end speed.
Draft projection: Late first or second round.


Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech
6-6½ 255, 4.55
Biggest pro: Explosive closing burst, especially for his frame.
Biggest con: Inexperienced.
Draft projection: Third round.


James Laurinaitis, ILB, Ohio State
6-2½ 244, 4.55
Biggest pro: Versatility.
Biggest con: Needs to become more consistent versus the run.
Draft projection: Top 15.

Erin Henderson, OLB, Maryland
6-2½ 240, 4.65
Biggest pro: Range versus run and in coverage.
Biggest con: Taking on blockers.
Draft projection: Late first or second round


Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State
6-1, 203, 4.45
Biggest pro: Playmaking instincts.
Biggest con: Lacks ideal quickness in and out of cuts.
Draft projection: First round.

Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas
6-1½ 201, 4.50
Biggest pro: Ball skills at CB, WR and RS.
Biggest con: Turning and running versus faster receivers.
Draft projection: First or second round.

Brandon Flowers, CB, Virginia Tech
5-10, 190, 4.40
Biggest pro: Consistency in man-to-man coverage.
Biggest con: Lack of ideal size.
Draft projection: First or second round.

[Carolina_Packer]

In your list you mention Kevin Smith in your first post as coming out early, but in the second one list him as staying in school. Do you know which one it is for sure?

[b bulldog]

mendenhall will be coming out. I love him along with Wells. Wells will be in the heisman hunt next year.

[RashanGary]

The top list is the most recent.

[Partial]

Look at that class of RBs!!! Pass on Felix Joke Jones and jump on JStew, Ray Rice, or Mendhall. All three of those cats will be pro-bowlers!!!!!!

[Partial]

This is a pretty damn good draft. Not the big names of 2005, but equivalent depth. Last year's draft was not that deep imo.

[PackerPro42]

I would like to see the Packers get Talib from Kansas in the first, he's an extremely athletic corner that would really compliment the ol' vets.

[Partial]

Whats up dude. It's been awhile.

[Brandon494]

Great class of running backs, but I think we should take a CB in the 1st round (B. Flowers). I think we can pick up a good RB in the 2nd or 3rd round of this draft. Not that we really need one because I believe Grant is the real deal.

[RashanGary]

I would like to see the Packers get Talib from Kansas in the first, he's an extremely athletic corner that would really compliment the ol' vets.

Talib looks like the real deal. Sounds like he'll be long gone though.

[packrulz]

Thanks Justin, I like the scouting reports, they don't say where Jack Ikegwuonu will be drafted, I assume the 1st round or he wouldn't have come out early. Personally, I thought he should've stayed another year, he has the size/speed you look for but is pretty raw yet. He also had the incident where he missed a game because he was sick, (hungover), that might cause him to slip a bit. Still, I like the guy and I wouldn't feel too bad if TT took him late in the 1st round, although he has an aversion to exBadgers, he could be the next Troy Vincent for all I know. Chase Coffman, TE, Missouri, is exPacker Paul Coffman's son, he has good size and I've heard he's very good.

[Lurker64]

I would like to see the Packers get Talib from Kansas in the first, he's an extremely athletic corner that would really compliment the ol' vets.

Talib looks like the real deal. Sounds like he'll be long gone though.

He was graded as a second round pick by the Draft Advisory Board, so I wouldn't necessarily expect him to be long gone. A lot is going to come down to how he looks at the combine, how the other top CBs look at the combine, and how many people are looking to draft defensive backs. A lot of folks are saying that he will need to run well at the combine to go as early as the second, so it's hard to say.

I definitely like some of what I've seen from him, he's real big out there. But falling in love with a name this early in the game (or really, at all) is one of those things that leads to immense disappointment come draft day. Personally, I'd like the Packers to take a developmental type CB in the first, but we'll probably get BPA (by some metric) and I'm happy enough with that in theory.'

Before we get too high on Talib, if you google around you find stuff like this on him:
"Talib does not possess the straight-line speed, recovery speed, press coverage skills or quickness to excel as a man corner, and lacks the toughness and tackling prowess to play zone."

Realistically, I just say "trust the scouting department", and all in all the CB class this year looks unusually deep.

[b bulldog]

Maulaga is a talented LB for 09

[The Leaper]

Travis Beckum, TE, Wisconsin
6-4, 228, 4.55
The undersized tight end made a wise decision to return to school. Beckum could easily become the first tight end taken in the 2009 draft by improving bulk and strength.

Beckum doesn't have much of a chance of being a TE at the next level IMO...unless improving bulk means packing on 30 pounds in one year.

He's a WR in the NFL.