These reflect my personal rankings of the prospects at each position. In order to incorporate one of the more popular reader requests, I will follow each player with a comparison or two. Some are easy, some are stretches.
As I have written before, other than the interview process and medical evaluations, the combine is almost completely pointless for players from BCS programs (particularly the quarterbacks).
The hyper-specialized training that costs agents between $10K and $80K in advance money is geared directly for the drills in Indianapolis, many of which do not directly translate to the football field. There are some exceptions though: the 10-yard split time for receivers, running backs, and cornerbacks; the three-cone drill for pass rushers; and the short shuttle for linemen and safeties.
Use the times and results in Indy to validate game tape, not override it!
Quarterback:
1. Andrew Luck, Stanford -- Peyton Manning with more athleticism, pre-injury Carson Palmer. Could be better than Peyton.
2. Robert Griffin III, Baylor -- Michael Vick with better accuracy and attitude. He is that good.
3. Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State -- A less mobile Trent Green, or Kyle Orton. Is what he will be already.
4. Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M -- Best case is Matt Hasselbeck, but not there yet. Has significantly higher potential than Weeden.
5. Brock Osweiler, Arizona State -- Has Drew Bledsoe potential, but could just as easily be Dan McGwire 2.0. No. 5 ranking reflects just how poor the rest of the crop is.
5a. Russell Wilson, Wisconsin -- A shorter, young Mark Brunell. Did I mention he is shorter?
Running Backs:
1. Trent Richardson, Alabama -- A faster, bouncier Eddie George. #1 with a bullet.
2. Doug Martin, Boise State -- A shorter Arian Foster crossed with a less-zippy Ray Rice, lower ceiling than both.
3. Lamar Miller, Miami (FL) -- The style of Matt Forte without the vision, a less-speedy Jamaal Charles.
4. Bernard Pierce, Temple -- Chicago-vintage Thomas Jones, an aggressively nifty pounder.
5. Isaiah Pead, Cincinnati -- A cheap version of Jahvid Best without the concussion issues.
5a. David Wilson, Virginia Tech -- Best case is LeSean McCoy, middle road is Donald Brown, worst case is Bernard Scott.
Wide Receivers:
1. Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State -- A slightly faster Anquan Boldin in both skill and mentality.
2. Kendall Wright, Baylor -- Very similar to Mike Wallace, but not quite as tall or top-end fast. Lethal vertical speed.
3. Michael Floyd, Notre Dame -- The physicality of Dwayne Bowe with better quickness, but has some flags.
4. Mohamed Sanu, Rutgers -- Mike Williams the Buccaneer without all the drama, though I think Sanu has a higher ceiling.
5. Chris Givens, Wake Forest -- In the vein of Devery Henderson and Torrey Smith.
5a. Joe Adams, Arkansas -- Shifty, nifty slot guy in the vein of Percy Harvin or DeSean Jackson.
Tight End:
1. Dwayne Allen, Clemson -- Reminds me most of an edgier Delanie Walker or a quicker Brent Celek.
2. Orson Charles, Georgia -- A smaller version of Jermichael Finley, drops and all.
3. Ladarius Green, Louisiana-Lafayette -- A skinny, less dynamic Jimmy Graham, crossed with Shawn Nelson. Boom/bust.
4. Colby Fleener, Stanford -- A lither, smoother Jake Ballard.
5. Michael Egnew, Missouri -- Insert oversized, 4.6ish wide out masquerading at tight end here.
Tackle:
1. Matt Kalil, USC --Iin the Jordan Gross mold of very dependable, but not dominant left tackles.
2. Mike Adams, Ohio State -- Has a lot of Marcus McNeill to his game, but not as agile.
3. Bobby Massie, Ole Miss -- A throwback pugnacious hoss a la Andrew Whitworth.
4. Mitchell Schwartz, California -- a cheap version of Eric Winston, better RT than LT.
5. Cordy Glenn, Georgia -- At his best, a stiffer Jammal Brown. Probably better at guard.
5a. Riley Reiff, Iowa -- The athletic traits of D-Brickashaw Ferguson, but not as assertive.
Guard:
1. David Decastro, Stanford -- Has strong potential to be the next Steve Hutchinson. Really.
2. Amini Silatolu, Northwestern State -- Built like Carl Nicks, but not as refined yet.
3. Kevin Zeitler, Wisconsin -- A movement guard with good feet a la Wade Smith.
4. Brandon Washington, Miami (FL) -- Heavy-handed Davin Joseph, but not as feisty or quite as agile.
5. Kelechi Osemele, Iowa State -- College tackle moved inside because of lack of quickness and agility.
Center:
1. Peter Konz, Wisconsin -- A younger Matt Birk, bigger than most of his peers.
2. Ben Jones, Georgia -- Almost invisibly effective in the short area, which makes a tough comparison.
3. Philip Blake, Baylor -- Over-aged try-hard Canadian like former Baylor linemate Danny Watkins.
4. David Molk, Michigan -- A light Dominic Raiola, tough and crafty but vulnerable to power.
5. Quenton Saulsberry, Mississippi State -- Fits best as a reserve G/C for a zone blocking team.
Follow Jeff on Twitter: @JeffRisdon
Jeff Risdon is RealGM's senior football writer.
Follow @JeffRisdon on Twitter.




