These prospects have yet to grade out obviously as we are only half of the way through the collegiate season and as the draft process has shown, a great deal can change even after the pads have been removed and the athletes are run through the gauntlet of tests that scouts have for them to perform. Just for the fun of it grading out the prospects thus far yields a tight race for the top spot as far as NFL talent is concerned.
Texas Tech Receiver Michael Crabtree
The redshirt sophomore receiver from Texas Tech has done nothing but terrorize defenses since suiting up last fall with his now eighteen game old career comprised of 185 receptions, 2686 yards, and a ridiculous 34 touchdowns in just 1080 minutes of work. Crabtree’s naysayers complain that the offense he plays in is conducive to gaudy numbers, but it’s difficult to simply dismiss those numbers as the product of a system. Crabtree’s balance and body control has such flawless fluidity that it’s almost superhuman at times. His hands are as soft and reliable as any receiver in the draft attacking the ball instead of waiting on the ball to come to him. All of these assets are usually the tools of a much small receiver, but Crabtree’s 6’3” 214 pound frame makes him a freak of nature. It may be a little early to throw around comparisons, but all of these talents warrant comparisons to as receiver such as Andre Johnson of the Houston Texans or Michael Irvin a three-time Super Bowl champion.
Linebackers Rey Maualuga, James Laurinaitis
Following closely behind Crabtree are the two All-American inside linebackers Rey Maualuga and James Laurinaitis with the distinguishing factor separating the two being only their ability to defend the pass. Maualuga has a bit more in the way of athleticism while Laurinaitis maintains an edge in strength to shed blockers. Depending on a team’s scheme (Laurinaitis more beneficial to a 3-4 and Maualuga the 4-3), both of these young men will thrive if put into the right environment. Both linebackers offer tremendous instincts and playreading abilities as the quarterbacks of their respective defenses in school.
Offensive Linemen Andre Smith, Eugene Monroe
As great of prospect as Matt Stafford is he still waits his turn until listing both Andre Smith and Eugene Monroe. These two are perhaps only separated by their mentality with strengths and weaknesses. Monroe is a pass blocking machine that protects the quarterback flawlessly and projects very favorably to the next level. Smith is more of a mauler with a wide-frame that may make him project to guard at the next level as he thrives on dominating at the point of attack and driving defensive lineman off of the line of scrimmage. In the NFL it is likely that Smith will play right tackle while Monroe brings a great deal of athleticism and promises potential to hold down the blindside for any QB for a number of years.
Georgia Quarterback Matt Stafford
The final component of the top half dozen prospects in 2008 is Matt Stafford of the Georgia Bulldogs who is a junior and it is still iffy whether or not he will decide to skip his final year of eligibility. Stafford’s arm strength is second to none in this class of quarterbacks and his mental capacity to learn a pro style offense will be a great asset as well. The understanding of the game is amazing for a true junior and coming into the NFL, his knowledge of how to manipulate defenses with his eyes and pump fakes makes him an immediate impact player. He would make a great fit with a team like Kansas City desperate to add a passing threat to their struggling offense.
The top five has remained relatively solid thus far and no changes loom in the foreseeable future unless an outsider starts making some noise and forcing the scouts to recognize them as an option. We all know that the draft never goes according to form however so stay tuned for developing stories and changes in this still fluid football season.
