Updated 2/25/09 This mock represents one scenario of two that are floating in my head. In this version, the QBs and RBs slide much further than most expectations. This also downplays the poor Combine performances of some higher-profile players (A. Smith, Jenkins, Crabtree) but acknowledges upward movement on some of the workout standouts who have some positive game films to back them up (E. Brown, J. Gilbert, M. King). This far out from the draft, before the teams have held their private workouts and meetings with players, any mock draft is more an exercise in educated guessing than precision forecast. I like to think I?m very good at reading between the lines, but in many cases the lines aren?t quite defined just yet. As always, this represents what I believe the individual teams would do if presented with the scenario given. This does not always mesh with what I would do if I were making the picks. Round 1 1. Detroit Lions: Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest. Why Curry? I don?t believe they have real interest in Matt Stafford for a couple of reasons. Foremost is that new GM Martin Mayhew realizes they are much more than a 50% shot at a franchise QB away from being good. Second, Stafford is represented by Tom Condon, the agent who was responsible for the Eli Manning draft trade and the holdouts of Brady Quinn and many others. You can carve this in marble: The Lions will not draft anyone unless they have a deal worked out before the draft. I also know the Lions believe Curry is a special, once-in-a-generation talent at a position they have chronically lacked. Detroit?s defense has ranked dead last two years in a row and desperately needs an infusion of talent with athletic ability and size. The depth at tackle and the affordable availability of more proven youngish QBs like Derek Anderson or Byron Leftwich seals the deal for Curry. 2. St. Louis Rams: Jason Smith, T, Baylor One of the stars of the Combine, Smith is the classic example of how a product of a low-profile program can vault himself up draft boards with strong offseason workouts and interviews. On film, Smith often looked fantastic, but teams questioned his measurables and his school. He answered those questions with aplomb, and the Rams will happily reward him by using Orlando Pace as a mentor while plugging the athletically capable Smith at RT for a year. 3. Kansas City Chiefs: Everette Brown, DE/OLB, Florida State Exactly what Dr. Pioli ordered for his first draft pick in KC, a freakishly athletic pass rusher who can line up at OLB or DE, a critical attribute for a team that is debating a transition to the 3-4 front. More productive as a Seminole and showing a greater passion for the game than Kamerion Wimbley, Brown can step in and immediately help one of the worst pass rushes in league history. It also helps bring out the best in last year?s 1st rounder, DT Glenn Dorsey, who struggled in part because teams had no fear to jam the middle on him. 4. Seattle Seahawks: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech The cynic would say, ?Just what Seattle needs--another WR with injury problems?. But Crabtree demonstrated special ability in college, a dynamic that the Seahawks simply cannot ignore, not even with Crabtree?s foot problem. The Panthers took Jonathan Stewart last year under similar circumstances and were handsomely rewarded, and don?t think the Seahawks brass doesn?t know that. 5. Cleveland Browns: Brian Orakpo, DE/OLB, Texas The sack artist from Texas has played some 3-4 OLB for the Longhorns and did not look out of place. He is perfect for what ails the Browns defense--a genuine pass rush threat who has the athleticism to be effective in coverage and the strength to set an edge against the run. His presence could do wonders for Kam Wimbley, who has just 10 sacks in his last 35 games after netting 10 in his first 13. Don?t buy into the RB speculation here, though Malcolm Jenkins is a distinct possibility. 6. Cincinnati Bengals: Jeremy Maclin, WR/KR, Missouri This pick stems from a conversation I had in Indy with a Bengals staffer regarding their future. I?m reading between some lines, but let?s just say those of you living Over the Rhine shouldn?t expect any of the terrific triumvirate of WRs of the past few years beyond next season, if not sooner. Look for them to answer the LT problem with Andrew Whitworth and address replacing him inside later. Maclin has the game-changing big-play ability as both a receiver and return man that this team sorely needs, even if Ocho Cinco is still around. However, if Jason Smith is still on the board, I believe he would be the pick. 7. Oakland Raiders: Eugene Monroe, T, Virginia The Raider revitalization continues with this smart pick, as Monroe is ready to start at LT for a team in dramatic need of pass protection. His maturity and strong performances against several current and future NFL ends are big selling points, as is the fact he faced a 3-4 defense in practice every day, something no other player can claim. My gut tells me Al Davis would prefer either Maclin or Crabtree, and Al has a way of getting what he wants, for better or worse. 8. Jacksonville Jaguars: Andre Smith, T, Alabama A lot of people are very down on the giant tackle after his brutal Combine, but I?ve talked to some actual NFL coaches and insiders and they are willing to grant him some slack for being young and dumb and making a terrible choice in agents. How he responds in team interviews and at his pro day will go a long way towards saving his bacon or becoming a fatback sandwich. The Jaguars are desperate at T after the Khalif Barnes experiment failed, and before his issues in Indy, Smith was the clear-cut #1 tackle based on on-field play. Sleeper Pick: Matt Stafford. 9. Green Bay Packers: Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State His physical style of play is perfect for what the Packers like to do, even with Dom Capers? new scheme. His playmaking gifts and size set him apart, and he turned in outstanding shuttle drill times, the most critical drill for CBs. During Senior Bowl week, a Packers assistant told me they might not draft one offensive player this year, save a mid-rounder on the right O-lineman. Jenkins would represent a great leadoff pick as the new face of their new defense. 10. San Francisco 49ers: Mark Sanchez, QB, USC The first QB off the board at #10 sure seems like a stretch, but there are two mitigating factors at work that make this a very real possibility. First is that both Sanchez and Stafford are juniors, and the stigma on underclassmen QBs grows nastier all the time. Second is that a lot of the teams picking near the top have either a QB in place (STL, GB, CIN, JAX, OAK) or more pressing needs than developing a QB with over a 50% chance of failure. San Francisco does have a potential QB in place in Shaun Hill and got royally burned by underclassmen Alex Smith, but new coach Mike Singletary craves leadership and a dynamic presence. Sanchez certainly provides that potential, so much so that the Niners simply cannot look this gift horse in the mouth. 11. Buffalo Bills: Clay Matthews, DE/OLB, USC This is probably higher than you?ll see young Matthews in most mocks, but both in Mobile and in Indy, the buzz on his upside and potential was deafening. His lineage provides security, but it?s his full toolbox of pass rush moves and his athletic versatility to play with his hand down or standing up that elevates his stock. Buffalo badly needs to upgrade the pass rush without sacrificing run defense, and Matthews is the perfect fit for that task. Sleeper Pick: Vontae Davis 12. Denver Broncos: BJ Raji, DT, Boston College He could very well be long gone by this spot, as this represents the absolute lowest Raji will go. A legit 0- or 1-technique tackle who can command double teams and still get into the backfield, Raji is the immovable object for which the Broncos defense cries out. Getting bigger and tougher up the gut is a stated goal of the new regime, and you don?t get any bigger than Raji. If he?s gone, Rey Maualuga or Vontae Davis (as a safety) are possibilities. 13. Washington Redskins: Michael Oher, T, Ole Miss This pick is somewhat predicated on my strong belief that they will sign Albert Haynesworth to shore up the defensive front. That would shift the need-o-meter to finding someone under age 30 worthy of starting on the OL. Oher has flashed the potential to be a great one, but he must improve his footwork and tenacity. He makes a good value fit for a team that will have to replace both tackles in the near future. 14. New Orleans Saints: Alex Mack, C, California Mack has been my Saints pick in most every edition of mock drafts this offseason, and nothing I?ve seen or heard gives me any compelling reason to change it now. Mack?s proven ability to get out and pancake defenders at the second level and downfield is very attractive to a team that runs a lot of short passes, reverses, and draw plays. Sleeper Pick: Larry English 15. Houston Texans: Brian Cushing, LB, USC Coming off a season where he proved he could both stay on the field and actually use his amazing athletic prowess to make an impact, Cushing is exactly what the doctor ordered in Houston. The Texans need to get Mario Williams some help rushing the QB and Demeco Ryans some help in run defense. Cushing has the potential to do both. 16. San Diego Chargers: Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia This is predicated on San Diego severing ties with LT, which may or may not happen. Moreno would make an excellent sledgehammer to Darren Sproles? greased piglet, with his between-the-tackles power and wiggle. His hands are an asset in Norv Turner?s offense too. If they keep LT, then this pick looks to go WR or LB. This slot could be quite attractive to a QB-needy team looking to usurp the Jets and Bears if (as is the case presented here) one of the top two QBs is still on the board. 17. New York Jets: Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina I talked to a few different Jets staffers and insiders and I was surprised at how they all downplayed the interest in taking a 1st round QB. It could be a giant snow job, but in this version I?ll buy into it. No matter who is their QB, he will need a major upgrade at WR. Nicks isn?t the fastest wideout but his hands are superb and he has a proven knack for the big play. Two Jets people told me that the #1 quality they are looking for in a WR is consistency getting open and actually catching the ball. That gets Nicks the nod over the others here. If they choose to go CB, Alphonso Smith is the pick. 18. Chicago Bears: Darius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland The offensive star of the Combine was a borderline 1st/2nd rounder heading into town but left as a surefire 1st with bigger upside than most anyone expected. As one Bears beat writer told me, ?Our wide receivers are worse than any expansion team? and that is GM Jerry Angelo?s top priority. DHB had an up-and-down college career but his ups are probably higher than any WR in this draft class. 19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Percy Harvin, WR/RB/KR, Florida Harvin has track star speed, amazing lateral quickness, and proven versatility as both a WR and out of the backfield. The offense needs better playmakers for new QB Luke McCown, and Harvin looks like he?ll fit as a Reggie Bush-type player in the NFL. His Gator roots and positive personality will be welcomed with open arms in both the locker room and the fanbase. 20. Detroit Lions (from DAL): Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia Yes, I copped out and gave Stafford the Brady Quinn treatment. I don?t really think Stafford will last until the 20th overall pick, but rather I believe the Lions will deal a little and move up a few spots to ensure they get their potential franchise QB (see the comments at #16). At this range, the pressure on Stafford is infinitely lowered, not to mention his signing bonus, which is not insignificant in Detroit. In prior incarnations I had Josh Freeman or Nate Davis here, but the Lions do not see either guy as a 1st round pick anymore. If they surprise and take Stafford #1, they would take exactly 4 seconds to choose Maualuga here. 21. Philadelphia Eagles: Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State I called Pettigrew ?Bubba Franks with attitude? in my TE Big Board summary, and I?ve heard that used on Sirius NFL radio and in an ESPN.com draft chat. Give credit where credit is due, my friends...the LJ Smith era is over and Brent Celek is well-suited to be a #2 TE. Pettigrew can step right in as a giant red zone target and significantly upgrade the perimeter run blocking, which might actually keep Brian Westbrook on the field for 16 games. 22. Minnesota Vikings: Rey Maualuga, LB, USC A domineering presence in the middle who turns the term ?big hitter? into a terrible understatement, Maualuga fits right in with the physically imposing nature of their defense. 14 different players have started at LB in the past 3 seasons, so depth and stability are important. Rey?s range and instincts are questionable, but when you can put him behind the Williams Wall, that eliminates a lot of margin for error. Sleeper Pick: Jared Cook. 23. New England Patriots: Louis Delmas, S, Western Michigan Delmas tops the safety position with a wider margin than any other player has at any position. A physical run-stuffer who oozes leadership and has decent ball skills, Delmas is the type of high football IQ player and worker that Belichick loves. He?s not great in coverage, but neither was Rodney Harrison, the guy he?s replacing. 24. Atlanta Falcons: Vontae Davis, CB/S, Illinois All the measurables are there--size, speed, quickness, strength. And at times during his Illini stint, Davis played the part of premium lockdown CB. Most people in Indy see him as a safety/CB hybrid in the Brandon Merriweather vein, and the Falcons have needs at both CB and S, so Davis can choose his own destiny. His work ethic and football IQ are questionable, and some big birdies told me he did little to dispel those doubts at the Combine. A good teaching coach like Mike Smith welcomes the challenge, and the potential rewards are certainly worth the fairly high risk on Davis. 25. Miami Dolphins: Larry English, OLB, Northern Illinois Fins fans, here is the replacement for Jason Taylor, and the similarities are strong. MAC defensive end who has the strength and will to anchor the edge against the run, the quickness and instincts to drop into coverage, and the speed and relentlessness to make life miserable for opposing QBs--that?s both Taylor and English. He?s not as lithe or polished as Taylor, but English is tailor-made for the 3-4 OLB/DE role. 26. Baltimore Ravens: Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest The Ravens need for youth at CB is several years in the making, and Smith has the type of man coverage skills that should allow him to step into the Chris McAllister role right away. He?s shorter and less physical than what teams ideally want, but he showed outstanding coverage skills and instincts in Mobile and during his lengthy tenure in Winston-Salem. 27. Philadelphia Eagles (from CAR): William Beatty, T, Connecticut The prize for allowing CAR to pick Jeff Otah last year is a tackle who is the antipode of man-mountain Otah; Beatty is a very quick, very agile, light-legged left tackle in the D?Brick Ferguson mold. That is a departure for the Eagles from Thomas and Runyan, but if Beatty continues to fill out his frame (he?s gained 15 functional pounds since their bowl game) without losing athleticism, he will be an above-average starter for the next decade just like the aging Thomas. 28. Indianapolis Colts: Peria Jerry, DT, Ole Miss New coach Jim Caldwell stated in an interview that his primary goal this offseason is to get bigger on defense. Jerry is the widebody they hoped they were getting in Booger McFarland. During his Rebel tenure, Jerry showed Kevin Williams-like skill at times. The Colts would be ecstatic if that comparison doesn?t look asinine two years from now. 29. New York Giants: Jared Cook, TE, South Carolina Another Combine star, Cook looks more like an oversized WR than a traditional TE. Think Eli Manning couldn?t use a guy who can stretch the field down the middle and keep the safeties from helping over the top on the outside? They already have the strong #2 TE in Kevin Boss that affords Tom Coughlin the luxury of a unique weapon like Cook. 30. Tennessee Titans: Aaron Maybin, DE/OLB, Penn State One of the losers of Indy, Maybin is a prolific speed rusher who had great success in college getting around the edge and finishing with flair. His disappointing speed and quickness numbers at the Combine play into the worst fears already surrounding him: he?s one-dimensional and might not have the physical ability to translate that dimension from college to the NFL. But the Titans have a long history of coaching up guys like that and striking gold, and Mabyin?s potential is golden. 31. Arizona Cardinals: LeSean McCoy, RB, Pittsburgh McCoy ahead of Beanie?!? Two reasons why: 1. McCoy really impressed with his passion for the game and toughness by working out despite being legitimately very ill at the Combine, whereas Wells babied (that?s the widespread NFL perception, don?t kill the messenger!) a foot injury and made life miserable for his coaches while he was injured, and 2. Speed. The primary desired attribute for RBs nowadays is speed, and McCoy comes across on film as faster than Wells. McCoy fits with what the Cards are looking for with his receiving skills and more willingness to share the position with Hightower. 32. Pittsburgh Steelers: Tyson Jackson, DT/DE, LSU Copied straight from my last mock version: Jackson disappointed a lot of Bayou Bengal faithful because he never emerged as a big-time sack artist. But scouts I?ve talked to like how Jackson worked at his lower body strength and ability to get off blocks. He fits best as a 3-4 DE playing 5-technique, and the Steelers need fresh young talent in their rotation up front. Their fans might covet a tackle here, but early indications are the Steelers are not real high on the second tier tackles in this draft, not at this slot anyways. Round 2 33. Detroit Lions: Robert Ayers, DE, Tennessee 34. St. Louis Rams: Coye Francies, CB, San Jose State 35. Kansas City Chiefs: Brian Robiskie, WR, Ohio State 36. Seattle Seahawks: Chris ?Beanie? Wells, RB, Ohio State 37. Cleveland Browns: Asher Allen, CB, Georgia 38. Cincinnati Bengals: James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State 39. Oakland Raiders: Cody Brown, DE/OLB, Connecticut 40. Jacksonville Jaguars: Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers 41. Green Bay Packers: Jarron Gilbert, DT, San Jose State 42. San Francisco 49ers: Paul Kruger, DE, Utah 43. Buffalo Bills: Shawn Nelson, TE, Southern Miss 44. Denver Broncos: Clint Sintim, LB, Virginia 45. Miami Dolphins (from WAS): Antoine Caldwell, C, Alabama 46. New York Giants (from NO): Duke Robinson, G, Oklahoma 47. Houston Texans: Derek Pegues, DB, Mississippi State 48. New England Patriots (from SD): Eben Britton, T, Arizona 49. New York Jets: Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State 50. Chicago Bears: Emanuel Cook, S, South Carolina 51. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Fili Moala, DT, USC 52. Dallas Cowboys: Marcus Freeman, LB, Ohio State 53. Philadelphia Eagles: Sean Smith, DB, Utah 54. Minnesota Vikings: James Casey, TE, Rice 55. New England Patriots: D.J. Moore, CB, Vanderbilt 56. Atlanta Falcons: Ziggy Hood, DT, Missouri 57. Miami Dolphins: Jonathan Luigs, C, Arkansas 58. Baltimore Ravens: Dannell Ellerbee, LB, Georgia 59. Carolina Panthers: Alex Magee, DT, Purdue 60. Indianapolis Colts: Donald Brown, RB, Connecticut 61. New York Giants: Travis Beckum, TE, Wisconsin 62. Tennessee Titans: Derrick Williams, WR, Penn State 63. Arizona Cardinals: Kraig Urbik, G, Wisconsin 64. Pittsburgh Steelers: Eric Wood, C, Louisville Round 3 65. Detroit Lions: Jamon Meredith, T, South Carolina 66. St. Louis Rams: Mike Mickens, CB, Cincinnati 67. Kansas City Chiefs: Ashlee Palmer, LB, Ole Miss 68. Seattle Seahawks: Brandon Tate, WR, North Carolina 69. Dallas Cowboys (from CLE): Andy Levitre, G, Oregon State 70. Cincinnati Bengals: Cedric Peerman, RB, Virginia 71. Oakland Raiders: Deangelo Smith, DB, Cincinnati 72. Jacksonville Jaguars: Rhett Bomar, QB, Sam Houston State 73. Green Bay Packers: Greg Isdaner, G, West Virginia 74. San Francisco 49ers: Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech 75. Buffalo Bills: Rashad Johnson, S, Alabama 76. Denver Broncos: Andre Brown, RB, North Carolina 77. Washington Redskins: Christopher Owens, CB, San Jose State 78. New York Jets (from NO): Kevin Barnes, CB, Maryland 79. Houston Texans: Mitch King, DL, Iowa 80. San Diego Chargers: Tyrone McKenzie, LB, South Florida 81. Green Bay Packers (from NYJ): Deangelo Smith, S, Cincinnati 82. Chicago Bears: Pat White, QB, West Virginia 83. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Patrick Turner, WR, USC 84. Detroit Lions (from DAL): Mike Thomas, WR, Arizona 85. Philadelphia Eagles: Rashad Jennings, RB, Liberty 86. Minnesota Vikings: Jason Watkins, T, Florida 87. New England Patriots: Cornelius Ingram, TE, Florida 88. Atlanta Falcons: Cary Harris, CB, USC 89. Miami Dolphins: Brandon Gibson, WR, Washington State 90. Baltimore Ravens: Lawrence Sidbury, DE, Richmond 91. Carolina Panthers: Nate Davis, QB, Ball State 92. Indianapolis Colts: Austin Collie, WR, BYU 93. New York Giants: Ladarius Webb, DB, Nicholls State 94. Tennessee Titans: Franz Joseph, LB, Florida Atlantic 95. Arizona Cardinals: Gerald McRath, LB, Southern Miss 96. Pittsburgh Steelers: Herman Johnson, G, LSU Click here to discuss this mock on our forums. Jeff.Risdon@RealGM.com

Monday was the day for linebackers and defensive linemen to show their stuff. The biggest topic of the day was the injuries suffered by two of the top talents present, USC LB Rey Maualuga and Texas DE Brian Orakpo. Both came up lame with hamstring injuries that shortened their workouts. Neither appears serious, but it certainly did not help Orakpo in his quest to shake the questions about his durability and weight room-centric body. One of the more underreported concerns that scouts have deals with the weight room fanatics like Orakpo and USC LB Brian Cushing. There is an underlying worry that their finely tuned and rocked-up bodies are more vulnerable to strains and soft tissue injuries. This has led to some problems with certain other ?beach body? guys, who shut it down at the first sign of any physical problem and often play like they are trying to avoid injury. Both Cushing and Orakpo have missed time due to those types of injuries in college, so the concerns have at least minor validity. Star of the day: Wake Forest LB Aaron Curry, who put up a fine case to be the #1 overall pick in this draft. He notched the fastest 40 time of any LB (4.56) and was in the top 5 performers in most every other drill, topping the LB board in the primary measuring sticks of explosiveness, the vertical and broad jumps. His career work already jumped off game films, and with his proof here that he?s an elite athlete, the Lions have to strongly consider him with the #1 pick. Trust me, they will. Others moving up Clay Matthews, LB, USC--making a real strong case for 1st round status with his great athletic prowess. He has a great pedigree and proven strong work ethic that teams love. One NFC South DC told me he thinks Matthews is the best NFL player from USC in this draft. Lawrence Sidbury, DE, Richmond--looked like he very much belonged with the big boys in Mobile, and he reinforced that in Indy. He?s got the strength and bulk similar to Jason Jones from last year, who acquitted himself nicely when asked to play 3-technique for the Titans. With his speed, that sort of versatility could get his name called near the end of round 2. Marcus Freeman, LB, Ohio State--everyone expected him to shine in workouts, but where he really has impressed is in his interviews. One coach raved about Freeman?s ability to quickly recognize plays and run through his duties. Connor Barwin, DE, Cincinnati--showed why he belonged on the Bearcat basketball team with his outstanding jumping and shuttle drills. He posted the top DL numbers in 4 categories, not unexpected but still impressive. The buzz on this kid is growing by the day, as he only played DE for one year and showed great natural ability. Give this kid a year or two of NFL positional coaching and he could be a star. The Mike Vrabel comparisons are everywhere, but he actually reminds me more of Jason Taylor. Stryker Sulak, DE, Missouri--proved his consistent ability to get into the backfield quickly at Mizzou was not a fluke. Seen by most as a 3-4 OLB, he showed in drills today he has the baseline athleticism to make the change. Mitch King, DT, Iowa--4.80 in the 40 for a defensive tackle is real fast. He is undersized at 6?2?, 282, but he consistently handled himself in the physical Big 10. With his speed and quickness at his size, King has potential in a variety of DL spots, and that sort of versatility really boosts his value. Detractors would say he?s too small to play inside and too slow to be a rush end, but with King?s motor and attitude, I would not bet against him. Surprise outcome of the day: Pitt LB Scott McKillop, widely panned for his lack of athleticism, clocked a faster 40 time than Rey Maualuga, James Laurinaitis, and Clint Sintim, among others. McKillop has clearly trained very well for the drills here; how well he translates that to the field will determine if he?s a 4th round diamond or another guy who artificially improved his numbers only to disappoint down the road. In light of the following story, I will refrain from singling out the guys who had bad days. Check the Combine thread on the message board for my Monday losers. On a sad note, about 15 minutes after I submitted my TE Big Board, the news broke that the career is over for one of the players on the list. Brian Mandeville of Northeastern was told by doctors to surrender his NFL dream due to a problem with a heart valve. I have not heard the specifics on what exactly is wrong with his heart. But as someone who suffers from a similar condition (I have aortic valve regurgitation, WebMD it) I can assure Mandeville that he?s better off finding out he has a valve issue in a routine examination rather than collapsing with awkward chest pain during a volleyball match at age 32 and scaring the hell out of your wife and teammates. It?s largely manageable and more of an inconvenience than a threat. No more heavy weightlifting, no endurance sports, no hard contact sports (sadly that includes football), no running in the cold. Good luck in whatever you do with your life, Brian. Jeff.Risdon@RealGM.com

Maryland wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey posted the fastest official 40-yard dash time on Sunday, running the distance in 4.30 seconds. His time is tied for the second-fastest mark among receivers since 2000, trailing only the 4.28 posted by Hampton's Jerome Mathis in 2005. Kansas State's Yamon Figurs also had a 4.30 run in 2007.

Alabama offensive tackle Andre Smith has cleared up the confusion surrounding his absence at Saturday's combine workouts. Smith left early to work out with a personal trainer, but didn't inform anyone of his departure. "If I had the chance to do it all over, I wouldn't have handled it the way I did," Smith said Saturday afternoon in his first public comments on the incident. "I should have told my group leader that I was leaving, and I didn't. I didn't mean to ruffle any feathers or step on any toes. I didn't mean to grandstand anyone at the combine. That was not my intention at all, and I apologize for my mistake."

Texas Tech wide receiver Michael Crabtree has decided to delay foot surgery until after his March 26 workout, during which he will run the 40-yard dash. "I don't know where that report came from," Crabtree told The Dallas Morning News, regarding indications early Saturday afternoon that he would have surgery promptly and miss the March workout. "It has been there for about a year and it's never caused me any pain. I can play with it the rest of my life. It won't stop me from running. I'm going to run." Crabtree has the beginning stages of a stress fracture in his left foot that will require a screw to be surgically inserted to stabilize that area of the foot.

Texas Tech wide receiver Michael Crabtree will miss 6-to-10 weeks because of a slight stress fracture in his left foot. The fracture was discovered during a bone scan conducted Friday during the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. "It's not a career-ending injury or anything like that," Bears coach Lovie Smith said. "He's a good football player, and he's got plenty of time to get well." The injury will require a screw to be surgically inserted to stabilize that area of the foot.

Heading into the Combine in Indianapolis, many people (myself included) rated Alabama T Andre Smith as the top offensive line prospect in the draft. I projected him as the #1 overall pick in my latest mock draft, thanks to his blend of strength, quickness, and powerful technique. But a funny thing happened on the way to the draft. The talk of the town Saturday has been Andre Smith?s AWOL status. This comes on the heels of a few days of flip-flopping that makes John Kerry look bedrock. First he?s not going to work out, then he changes his mind and says he?s all in. Friday he pulls the plug and officially withdraws from full workouts but is still expected to do more interviews and lightly participate. This morning, as all the other offensive linemen commenced workouts, Smith was nowhere to be found. One reporter claimed he saw Smith hurrying out of the hotel with all his luggage, trying desperately to avoid notice, a tall task for a 6?4?, 332 pound mountain of a man. Nobody seems to have a clear answer as to what happened or where he is now. Andre Smith was the topic du jour at a local watering hole last night as well. I was out and about with a couple of NFL scouts and some fellow ?draftniks?, and one scout talked about his team?s experience interviewing Smith. They asked him about his desire to dominate and his seeming indecisiveness, and Smith?s answers indicated to them that he would rather take the easy road. Where other guys talked about how hard they?ve worked to get where they are and how much they love playing football, Smith talked about how he?s forever been the best and how he likes the business of football. His disappearance today only reinforces that perception, though it calls into question his business acumen. Smith has turned pretty minor issues into giant yellow flags, unfurling doubt into a stiff headwind. Once a lock to be one of the first three picks of the draft, Smith could conceivably fall to the middle of the first round with his horrible Combine. Seizing the day is a different Smith, Jason of Baylor. Highly regarded but shrouded in a lot of vagueness coming from a minor program and not much exposure or hype, Jason Smith is adeptly wearing the glass slipper and turning the pumpkin into the beautiful horse-drawn carriages around the city center. Smith displayed great overall athleticism, putting up 33 bench press reps and performing well in the 3-cone agility drill. His star was already shining thanks to his humbly confident manner in interviews and his tangible desire to keep improving. A converted tight end in the manner of Joe Staley, teams are falling in love with Jason Smith?s potential and the likelihood he works hard to achieve it and maximize it. Entering this week, I had Jason Smith as the #3 tackle on my big board and being drafted in the 6-10 overall range. With his impressive performance here in Indianapolis, it is now Jason Smith, not Andre Smith, that could be the #1 overall draft pick. It is hard for me to see him falling below the Rams at the #2 overall pick, as he has a lot of the traits of Orlando Pace, the man he would be replacing in St. Louis. I?ve known Pace since his freshman year of high school, and the way Smith handles himself off the field and blends his athleticism with power on the field reminds me very much of a younger Orlando Pace. Sights and Sounds: Brian Cushing and James Laurinaitis hitting the media line together, looking and sounding very much like BFFs despite looking like the odd couple. Cushing has long, flowing locks and has muscles on his muscles, while Laurinaitis has the Johnny Unitas hair special and is more thick than sculpted. The good-natured, but clearly competitive ribbing between the two should ease any concerns teams had about their mentality or desire to succeed and be the best. Percy Harvin is both taller and thicker in person than I anticipated. On the flip side, Quan Cosby looks shorter than he did in Mobile, and that?s tough for a guy who barely reaches 5?6?. This overall group is less heavily tattooed than the past couple of draft classes. Hopefully the ink fad is fading, though when you see Aaron Curry or Rey Maualuga you almost can?t see their own skin color on half their bodies and it doesn?t look stupid. Jerry Jones can rest assured his directive of ?no leaks? is being taken to heart. I?ve had a very cordial working relationship with a Cowboys staffer for a couple of years, a guy I could reliably go to and get info on both his team and evaluations of college players. Twice today I?ve asked him about specific prospects here that I know he has personally evaluated, and he literally won?t even give me the time of day. Thanks for that, Mr. Jones. The Vikings staff appeared to show unusually keen interest in the TE workouts. In a coincidentally related tangent, premier TE prospect Brandon Pettigrew ran the 40-yard dash three times after being unsatisfied with his times. His best time (4.87) was still about .15 seconds slower than anyone anticipated and his 10-yard splits were terrible. It will be intriguing to see how teams feel about his day--he disappointed athletically but showed great desire and work ethic, sort of the opposite of what some people expected of him. My early pulse is that his stock is safe as the top TE and being drafted in the 11-20 range. A lot of teams are going to rue the decision to hire inexperienced coaches over Brian Billick. I know, faithful readers, that I need to get over my man crush on Billick, but this guy really impresses with his knowledge of the prospects and how what they?ve done in college translates to the pros, and how he would fit with certain teams and schemes. Watching the agents trying to corner the GMs and coaches, and the subsequent reactions of the targets as they try desperately to worm away, is just outstanding human theater. I?m not a big Jay Mohr fan, but he nailed the part of the couth, self-serving, glad-handling vapidity of agentdom in Jerry Maguire. It?s fun to get to talk to some of the lesser-regarded prospects here. While the high-profile guys shuffle from one radio spot to another TV appearance, the Anthony Felders and Davon Drews of the world wander around like the chunky awkward girls with braces and bad hair at the 7th grade dance. It?s too bad, because I?ve found some of the most interesting guys and informative info in terms of what teams are asking are the guys like this. Of course I was the geeky beanpole new kid in 7th grade who avoided the dance altogether out of fear of being wedgied by these same guys... Jeff.Risdon@RealGM.com

Texas Tech wideout Michael Crabtree, who was listed by his school at 6-foot-3, measured nearly two inches below that at 6-1 3/8. Other top prospects who came up short included both top quarterbacks, Georgia?s Matthew Stafford and USC?s Mark Sanchez, who both came in at 6-foot-2, an inch below their listed heights.

The annual Scouting Combine fired up Thursday, but the focus of the day here in Indianapolis was free agency and the franchise tags. As the collegians aren?t working out yet, the energy and buzz swirls around impending free agent talks, trade talks, and contract situations. That is fairly consistent with my experience on prior trips too. Most of the scouts and coaches didn?t arrive until late in the day, if at all. Hopefully their trips to Indy were better than mine. Normally a pleasant 3 ? hour cruise down US 31, my commute took nearly seven hours of intense, white-knuckled driving through lake effect snow and hurricane-force winds. Thanks to the greatest band in the world, Dream Theater, for providing a stress release soundtrack for my misery. Thursday notes --the loudest noise was the Raiders signing premier CB Nnamdi Asomugha to a 3-year, $45M deal, thus avoiding use of the franchise tag for a second consecutive season. By actually making a commitment to a truly elite-level player, the Raiders have sent the message they are serious about improving and building off the positive momentum that new coach Tom Cable built late in the season. Having signed their second-best player, P Shane Lechler, to a long contract earlier in the week, the perception is that the Raiders are no longer a laughingstock and that Al Davis is finally acquiescing to the modern times. At least a little bit. --Carolina signed LT Jordan Gross to a last-second contract, which allowed them to place the franchise tag on disgruntled DE Julius Peppers. That drew the following reaction from a prominent agent (though not Peppers? agent): ?Are they trying to tell us (fellow agents) to (expletive related to self fornication)? He doesn?t want to be there, they don?t want him there. What the (expletive) are they doing with franchising him!? If they wanted him they would have tried to work out a deal last year, but from what I know they never even tried. Not seriously anyways. If Julius Peppers was my client, he would not accept this. I would have him sit out the six games and then take their money. ...there has to be good faith and the Panthers have lost that faith in my eyes. The Gross deal looks fair enough, but why did they wait? That exact deal could have been done weeks ago. They?re just (expletive) with Peppers now and that ain?t right.? --the same agent on the Titans using the franchise tag on TE Bo Scaife: ?Good for him and for Kevin (Roberson, Scaife?s agent). They have to pay him top-five tight end money guaranteed next year. There isn?t one person in the NFL who would put Bo Scaife in the top half of tight ends in this league. He might not have pulled that kind of money ($4.45M in 2009) over two years if he hit the open market.? My personal observation on the Titans tagging Scaife: This means both Kerry Collins and Albert Haynesworth are free agents. Haynesworth has already indicated he will heavily test the open market waters, which likely means a deal averaging close to $10M per year, probably for 4 years. Collins, the unquestioned savior of their 2008 season, will get $8M minimum from someone (the Jets?) if the Titans can?t work out a deal. They are already paying Vince Young big $$ at QB. They just signed K Rob Bironas to a 4 year, $12M deal, plus the Scaife deal. This indicates to me that either Haynesworth or Collins won?t be back; they simply cannot afford them both. Look for Haynesworth to sign elsewhere, because the players behind Haynesworth are more NFL-ready than Vince Young is to take over for Collins. Three seasons into his career and Vince Young still isn?t close to being ready to take over a playoff-caliber team. Tell me again why any team should burn a first-round pick on a spread/option QB, because Young was better in college than anyone else from that system, with Alex Smith a close second. No thanks. --Arizona chose to tag LB Karlos Dansby for the second consecutive year. What this tells me: They felt he was the most likely key component to leave, and he?s the most irreplaceable with what they have behind him on the roster. This makes getting a new deal for Kurt Warner before next week (when free agency starts) the single most critical move of the next week. If they can convince Warner to come back, the band stays together for another run. If he walks away, the incentive for Anquan Boldin to play nice and stick around is gone, not to mention the primary appeal for the other free agents, notably Antonio Smith, Bert Berry, and Ralph Brown, the veteran glue of the defense. If the Cardinals want to credibly sell to these guys that the team is committed to winning and the Super Bowl run was no fluke, Warner has to return. --Pittsburgh used the franchise tag on Max Starks once again. Overheard from a Steelers beat writer calling into a Pittsburgh-area radio show (I can?t provide a verbatim quote, but this is real close): Last year they knew they had to keep him because there was nobody else to fill his spot. He played his way to the bench again and there is no way he should make the final roster next year, just no way based on his play the past couple of seasons. And they franchise him anyways. Say goodbye to Bryant McFadden and Nate Washington in favor of backup bum lineman Max Starks. ...this says to me they do not want to use an early pick on the offensive line too. Sometimes I wonder how we keep winning. --the Derek Anderson-to-Tampa Bay talks have real legs. Everything I saw and heard yesterday indicates that the Browns are aggressively shopping Anderson and will find a taker who will give them their asking price, likely a 2nd round pick with some strings. Lions talk, for my fellow morons who have yet to abandon the misery: --it was great to see Jim Schwartz being front and center yesterday, doing press conferences and being very open and accessible to the media. This is a fundamental change from the Millen years, where the coaches typically only spoke in a calculated tone after Millen was done talking for the team. Schwartz is bright, articulate, and has a youthful exuberance that should play very well in the locker room and with the fans. --the Lions staff is spending Friday interviewing all the prominent offensive linemen, and I can tell you they have done their homework in advance prep. I?m reading between some lines here, but my educated gut feeling is they desperately want Andre Smith or Eugene Monroe to knock their socks off and convince them to make one the #1 overall pick. --all that I have heard and seen indicates that Dan Orlovsky was 100% on the mark when he said that the Lions have told Daunte Culpepper he will be the starting QB in 2009. Orlovsky will not be back, and Jon Kitna will be cut loose any minute now. The commitment to Culpepper should indicate to everyone they are not serious about going after Matt Cassel. How does this impact their draft plans? My educated gut feeling, part two: Martin Mayhew knows the inglorious history of first round QBs in Detroit and does not want a repeat of Andre Ware, Chuck Long, or Joey Harrington. They like Matt Stafford but they are scared of throwing him to the wolves right away and also of paying him so much money for uncertainty. By keeping Culpepper for one year, and only one year, they hold the fort for a season with a veteran who is desperate to prove he?s got something left to offer and who played reasonably well given the circumstances last year. This means they can focus their search for their QB of the future not with the #1 pick, but rather with the #20 pick or perhaps the first pick of the second round. I do not find it a coincidence that Kansas State QB Josh Freeman is a near physical clone of a younger Culpepper and that the Lions have been observed shaking all the bushes in Manhattan, KS and in Freeman?s hometown of Kansas City. Jeff.Risdon@RealGM.com

A decent overall class with three top-shelf prospects and a whole host of 2nd-4th round guys with quality potential, this class is notable for being chock-full of players who are one attribute (be it size, speed, instincts, attitude) away from having very high NFL ceilings. Some will overcome those deficiencies with coaching and experience, some will fade to Ahmad Carroll or Ashton Youboty land and be lucky to see a 2nd NFL contract higher than the vet minimum. 1. Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State. 6?0?, 194 pounds, 4.40 40 Positives: Great size and he understands how to use it. Great hips and shoulders, very fluid athletically. Breaks out of his backpedal under control and with strong burst and balance. Outstanding mirror skills, and he has the speed to run step for step with any WR. Very adept at jamming and steering the pattern. Great in run support, solid tackler with some thump. Has very good hands and timing to make plays on the ball. Has played some free safety and looked dominant there as well. Very confident in his ability. Has rare closing speed and tremendous instincts. Is the closest thing to a lockdown corner at the NCAA level in at least the last 5 drafts. Negatives: Got away with gambling for the big play a lot in college. Will whiff on some open field tackles, lowers his head too quickly. For such a physical corner he doesn?t shed blocks well. Can run upright. When giving an initial big cushion, Jenkins can be slow to get going. Not a great leaper and doesn?t always challenge for high throws, more apt to try and deliver a big hit to knock it free. Will try and bait the QB too often; strong-armed QBs had some success throwing over the top on him. NFL Comparison: Chris McAllister in his prime Forecast: As good of a CB prospect as any since Champ Bailey, Jenkins has all the physical tools to become a perennial Pro Bowler. Will be the first CB off the board, perhaps the first defender taken. Surefire top 10 pick, could go as high as #2 overall. 2. Alphonso Smith, Wake Forest. 5?8.5?, 193 pounds, 4.46 40 Positives: Tremendous ball skills and closing speed. Natural playmaker who has earned the nickname ?Prime?. Very quick feet. Very fluid athlete. Consistently makes the correct route reads and anticipates routes well. Does an outstanding job staying hip-on-hip with receivers. Good fundamental tackler. Likes to hit and try and strip the ball. Very rarely fooled by play action or double moves. Has positive experience playing on an island. Good jumper with great timing. Gets off blockers well and really fights in traffic to get himself free. Has the requisite abundance of confidence and short memory that all top-notch corners possess. Played some slot WR and has some return ability. Really stood out in drills at the Senior Bowl as the best CB there by a wide margin. Negatives: Short. Not real physically strong and has maxed out his frame. Bigger receivers can take his best lick and not go down. Not a blitzer. Can be overpowered by physically strong receivers. Will exit his backpedal flat-footed at times. Had some issues making decisions when multiple receivers flooded his area. NFL Comparison: Dre Bly with more discipline. Frequent readers will note I am a big Dre Bly fan. Forecast: His lack of height limits his ceiling, and he?s not physical for a small guy like Antoine Winfield. But his natural coverage ability is exceptional and Smith has consistently locked down some pretty talented WRs. 1st rounder, probably in the middle third of the round. 3. D.J. Moore, Vanderbilt. 5?10?, 182 pounds, 4.48 40 Positives: Very instinctive in coverage. Exudes a high football IQ. Strong technique with his hips and shoulders, understands the intricate mechanics of the position. Good closing speed, has great burst once he locates the ball. Good jumper, highpoints the ball and shows great timing in making a play on it. Solid in run support, keeps his head up and shoulders square on tackles. Has shown he can run step for step with several future NFL WRs (Massaquoi, Murphy, Byrd, Julio Jones). Brings added value as a kick return man and has starting potential there too. Has played some zone coverage and thrived in it. Played some WR and looked surprisingly good at it. Negatives: Lacks ideal height and strength. Doesn?t have the physique of most of the guys listed here. Can get caught staring into the backfield too long. Doesn?t always close hard on run plays, prefers to be the 2nd guy in and finish the job. More physical receivers were able to get separation on Moore, particularly across the middle. Needs to shorten his memory; when beaten on a play he is hard on himself and it has impacted subsequent plays (see: Georgia and Kentucky games). NFL Comparison: Terrance Newman or Leodis McKelvin Forecast: Moore is the best pound-for-inch cover man in this draft and could quickly emerge as a legit #1 cover corner. His floor is real high even if others have higher ceilings, making him a ?safe? pick in the second half of the 1st round. 4. Vontae Davis, Illinois. 6?0?, 208 pounds, 4.40 40 Positives: Big, strong and athletic. Has amazing speed for such a big corner. Explosive burst. Has a more football-functional physique than his brother Vernon. Great closing speed and has the top-end speed and footwork to run with any WR. Very good at steering the receiver on longer routes, understands how to apply subtle downfield contact and not draw a flag. Plus hands, can make the difficult catch for the INT. Played inspired when facing future NFL WRs like Derrick Williams and Brian Robiskie, showed the ability to lock them down. Can be a strong tackler who fills well against the run, will fight through blockers. Big hitter who does a good job keeping his head up and shoulders square. Has an NFL pedigree with brother Vernon (TE 49ers). Negatives: Inconsistent. Normally has fluid feet and hips, but on film he shows tendencies to take poor steps and tightness in his hips and shoulders. Doesn?t exit his backpedal under control at times. Will bite on play action and double moves more than most. Doesn?t seem to have a real good concept of route recognition or anticipation of routes and/or plays. Will get caught looking in the backfield too long. Stands up straight when tackling at times, which costs him leverage and the ability to react to a cut (see: Michigan game). Played down to lesser competition. Is the same player now he was two years ago, as if he?s reached peak development. Some scouts project him to be a better NFL safety than corner, a la Antrell Rolle. Forecast: His amazing athletic prowess will get him drafted in the top 40 picks, more than likely in the 15-25 range. Legit concerns about his room for growth and issues with a lot of the subtleties of the position make him a boom/bust prospect. I believe he can be the best CB in this draft outside of Jenkins, but I can also see him being the next Jimmy Williams (the VT product). 5. Coye Francies, San Jose State. 6?0.5?, 177 pounds, 4.36 40 Positives: Real speedster with good height for the position. Shows fluidity in his hips and shoulders when on the move, exits his backpedal under control and ready to burst. Has a good feel for route recognition and doesn?t bite on fakes. Good at jumping short inside routes, reads the QB very well. Very sound tackler who filled in at safety and looked like a force against the run at that position. Can make the acrobatic INT. Very good on returns, both off picks and on PR/KR duty. Really stood out during Senior Bowl workouts for his man coverage skills and closing burst. Also showed leadership ability and a willingness to be coached in Mobile. Negatives: A JUCO transfer forced out of Oregon State after a weapons charge (later dropped), he carries personal baggage. The scouts I?ve talked to unanimously tell me he?s matured and developed into a mentally stronger young man, but teams are wary of guys busted for carrying an unlicensed loaded gun. Thin-framed and light for his height, though there is some room for added functional bulk. Really needs to improve lower-body strength; his legs look like Keon Clark?s. His tumultuous school-hopping resulted in not getting much experience or consistent coaching. Not very good with his hands in fighting for position or jamming, holds too much. NFL Comparison: Bryant McFadden with better speed Forecast: His past indiscretions and slight build hurt his draft stock to some extent, but Francies has loads of potential as a playmaking corner who plays the run well. Perfect for a blitz-happy team like Pittsburgh or Philadelphia, Francies figures to be drafted in the 25-40 overall range. 6. Asher Allen, Georgia. 5?10?, 198 pounds, 4.50 40 Positives: Experienced big-game CB who played very well against legit NFL competition. Good hips, which breeds his great agility. Real fluid and efficient in his movements. Has decent natural instincts. Between his good speed and technique, receivers never get behind him. Tremendous ball skills, a real playmaker with the ball in the air. Will fight receivers to the ground for the ball. Strong tackler in run support, really drives his shoulders into the hips. Excels at coming off his man to close on screens and underneath routes. Tough physically and mentally; played most of 2008 with a broken hand and went through long stretches where no balls came his way, but his effort and effectiveness never waned. Has potential for growth, both physically and developmentally. Has dynamic potential as a return man Negatives: Lacks ideal height and isn?t a great jumper. His top-end speed is not up to par with the faster third of WRs. Drops a lot of INTs, though I cut him some slack with the broken hand. Not very good at shedding blockers, can be engulfed by WRs with good blocking technique. Many scouts would have liked him to get more experience and refinement with another year in college, to work on things like using his hands, exiting his backpedal more cleanly, and to fill out his frame. NFL Comparison: Tracy Porter Forecast: Had he stayed in college another year, Allen would likely have topped most CB draft boards in 2010. The potential is there and he has fulfilled a lot of it already, but it might take him a year or two of NFL coaching and learning before it really clicks. Upwardly mobile 2nd-3rd rounder. 7. Darius Butler, UConn. 5?10?, 178 pounds, 4.50 40 Positives: Very fluid athlete with exceptional quickness. Shows good natural instincts in coverage and a high football IQ. Locates the ball well and shows good timing in making a play on the ball. Very intense competitor who plays with confidence and purpose. Has good enough hands that he played some WR. Does a good job avoiding blocks and sifting through traffic. Not afraid of coming up in run support. Respected in the locker room and by his coaches for his competitive spirit and leadership. 4-year starter in a BCS program. Looked strong in coverage during Senior Bowl week. Negatives: Undersized and slight framed. Really lacking in physical strength; if the ball carrier gets his shoulders squared, Butler just bounces right off him (see Rutgers and Pitt games in 07). Doesn?t have elite top-end speed, more quick than fast. Will gamble and rely on his great athleticism to recover with mixed results. Can be overly cocky on the field. Has some durability and injury concerns after missing time with a knee injury. NFL Comparison: Dunta Robinson Forecast: If he were 2? taller and 20 pounds heavier, Butler just might be the 1st CB taken--his skills are that good. But his slight build and durability concerns hurt his value enough that he will likely fall to the 30-50 overall range. I?m more concerned than most about his durability. 8. Jairus Byrd, Oregon. 6?0?, 208 pounds, 4.5 40 Positives: Has all the physical attributes that teams desire--size, speed, strength, quickness. Early entrant but he started for 3 seasons at a top-level program, so he has experience. Real knack for finding the ball and making plays. Smart and instinctive in coverage. Shows good cognizance of routes and aggressively goes after the ball. Sound tackler with some pop. Solid citizen who leads by example. Has some PR ability. Gets off blocks well and finishes his tackles. Negatives: Has adequate speed but doesn?t always run at full speed; only hits his top gear while running with his head down. Quicker receivers had success getting separation. Had several instances where he went through the receiver to get the ball and got away with it, which won?t fly in the NFL. Can get caught flat-footed on play action and pump fakes, needs more consistent footwork. NFL Comparison: Charles Tillman Forecast: Best suited as a Cover-2 corner, Byrd could develop into a very strong starter. His 40 time at the Combine is crucial; if he looks smooth in running a sub 4.5 with good initial splits, Byrd could sneak into the second half of the 2nd round. If he can?t crack 4.5 and looks choppy, he might fall to the 4th. 9. Sean Smith, Utah. 6?3?, 210 pounds, 4.54 40 Positives: Tremendous size and strength for the position. A former WR, has very impressive ball skills. His receiving background gives him a good feel for route recognition and what the receiver is trying to do. Strong tackler, hits like a safety as expected for his size. Good closing speed. Has the requisite confidence and short memory. Employs a physical style that can really disrupt routes, great at jamming. Does a fine job blowing up screens and sniffing out misdirection plays (ask Michigan and Alabama). Negatives: Runs stiff. High cut despite having a good overall physique. Has adequate speed but it?s very straight-linish. Needs to work on his footwork and learn to take shorter, quicker steps; can be real slow to change direction and often grabs onto the receiver to compensate. Easier to block than he should be for a guy often having a distinct size advantage. Will bite on double moves and freezes on pump fakes. NFL Comparison: Anthony Henry Forecast: Tantalizing size and playmaking skills are tempered by limited positional athleticism and technique. Much like Anthony Henry, probably best served as an NFL safety who moves to short-side CB in nickel packages (someone clue in Wade Phillips to that fact!). His upside and size will get him drafted in the 2nd round but we might never see it. 10. Mike Mickens, Cincinnati. 5?11?, 176 pounds, 4.43 40 Positives: Very athletic, confident cover man with good natural instincts. Fluid in movement, with textbook footwork in his backpedal and in changing direction. Loose hips. Good short-area quickness. Adept playmaker who aggressively locates and attacks the ball. Can climb the ladder to highpoint the ball. Exceptional closing speed, has great explosiveness and recovery speed. Uses his hands well in press coverage. Has the attitude of a top cover man. Worked real hard to rehab a tweaked knee to play in the Orange Bowl and played very well. Negatives: Needs to add physical strength, both upper and lower body. More physical and taller receivers can overpower him and get separation. Poor tackler who dives at feet and knees and lacks the strength to wrap. Really struggles to shed blocks. Tends to try to intercept every pass thrown his way, which has lead to big plays the other way. Will peek into the backfield too long. Had a very poor start to 2008 before rounding into form, so consistency might be an issue. Overconfident in his own ability, one of those guys who can always find a finger to point when many times it should be pointed at himself. His knee injury bears further scrutiny as he left Senior Bowl week practices early after missing time during the season. NFL Comparison: Leigh Bodden in his Cleveland days Forecast: His knack for the big play and strong innate man cover skills are top notch, but concerns over his lack of bulk and discipline in coverage are legit flags. High risk/reward pick in the 55-75 overall range. 11. Woodny Turenne, Louisville. 5?11?, 200 pounds, 4.42 40 Summary: Has good size and plays with a disciplined, physical style that defies the oxymoron of that statement. Real fluid athletically with great hips and solid footwork. Good enough speed to stay on the hip of any receiver. Real good short-area quickness, changes directions in a snap and stays balanced. Natural ballhawk, though his hands aren?t great (4 of his 5 INTs last year he double-caught, and he dropped at least 5 others). Decent and willing tackler. Does not always locate the ball well on longer routes, when he cannot peak into the backfield. Not a good jumper. Will bite on fakes. A little too easy to block. Broke his collarbone and missed time, and he lacks experience playing against the big boys (he?s a JUCO transfer). Tended to play well when the rest of his team was doing the same, but his effort and intensity waned when the team was going to lose. Forecast: His natural coverage instincts and solid measurables are worthy of drafting in the 50-75 overall range. He might slide due to injury and intensity concerns. 12. Cary Harris, USC. 5?11?, 198 pounds, 4.58 40 Summary: Veteran starter on one of the best collegiate defenses in history. Confident and technically sound, good football IQ. Does a good job steering his mark with strong shoulder positioning and good hand placement. Has adequate strength and size. Fundamentally sound tackler for the most part, though he lacks pop. Good at locating the ball and will fight for it. Went against a dynamic offense in practice for three years. Lacks elite top-end speed and doesn?t change directions with fluidity or burst. Can be stiff exiting his backpedal. Had two safeties behind him who played very deep and let him focus on the shorter routes. Lacks great hands. Forecast: Much like former teammate Terrell Thomas, Harris is a high-floor, low-ceiling cover man who is NFL-ready to play nickel back or man the short side in a zone. 3rd-4th rounder and his ?safe? pick rep might nudge him a little higher. 13. Captain Munnerlyn, South Carolina. 5?9?, 185 pounds, 4.36 40 Summary: Hyper-aggressive, physical press coverage CB. Excels at disrupting routes and timing, very good at using his hands and positioning his shoulders to steer the WR. Very good tackler with thump who quickly comes up in run support. Great closing speed and has good timing on playing the ball. Very quick out of his backpedal and cuts, though his backpedal is cockeyed. Good in the locker room and has some PR/KR ability. Short and short-armed. Not very instinctive in coverage; if he?s not pressing he?s a major detriment in coverage. Clutches and grabs whenever a receiver gets a step on him. Consistently tries for the big play when the smart play is to allow the catch and make the tackle. Will really have to work on not holding and using better footwork at the next level. Forecast: He makes up for his lack of height with toughness and intensity, but Munnerlyn needs some NFL coaching on hand placement and technique. Added value in the return game will get him drafted in the 3rd-4th round. Could be a good one if paired with a reliable safety. 14. Brandon Underwood, Cincinnati. 6?1?, 192 pounds, 4.41 40 Summary: Ohio State transfer with a great physical package of size, speed, and quickness. Very good closing speed. Fluid hips and explodes from his backpedal with balance. Has thrived on special teams. Plays a bit upright at times. Lacks natural coverage instincts and can be slow to read routes and pick up plays. Flopped between CB and FS and never really looked comfortable. Needs to improve tackling form. Not very physical and could really use 10 pounds of functional bulk. Forecast: If he bulks up a little and learns how to watch film and apply lessons to the field, Underwood is a major diamond in the rough. If not, his special teams acumen and versatility give him a high enough floor to stick. 4th-5th rounder. 15. Londen Fryar, Western Michigan. 5?10?, 187 pounds, 4.55 40 Summary: The son of Irving Fryar, Londen is a technically sound scrapper with good instincts and work ethic. Good tackler who plays bigger than his size. Physical in man coverage, likes to jam and press. Good at redirecting WR and fighting for the ball. Undersized and lacks top end speed. Gambles too much, though some of that is a function of how the Broncos asked him to play. Has an alarming propensity to lose track of his man if WRs are bunched or run crossing routes. Did not inherit his father?s hands. Forecast: Fryar projects best as a nickel CB playing in the slot. His heritage and strong football IQ make up for his lack of ideal measurable and will get him drafted in the 4th-5th round. 16. Lydell Sargent, Penn State. 5?9?, 181 pounds, 4.52 40 Summary: Athletic playmaker with major consistency issues. At times Sargent looked like an elite NFL prospect (Ohio State and Michigan games), but in other games (Northwestern, Michigan State) he looked very methodical and disinterested. Has great hands and can highpoint the ball with good timing. Not afraid to stick his nose in the box in run support, solid tackler. Doesn?t have the great closing burst or acceleration of most CBs. Undersized. Will take false steps. Gives up position too easily, lets the WR dictate the action too often. Forecast: Best suited for a zone coverage team with an intense coaching philosophy, Sargent is a boom/bust prospect who looks to come off the board in the 3rd-4th rounds. 17. Kevin Barnes, Maryland. 6?0?, 188 pounds, 4.58 40 Summary: Very physical cover man with good size. Real good strength for the position. Big-time hitter who generally wraps well on tackles. Locates the ball well and closes with a purpose. Has good long speed but struggles with short-area quickness and lacks great burst out of his cuts. Often gave a huge cushion and turned his back to run rather than backpedaling. Needs to work on his hands when jamming. Suffered a broken shoulder blade that ended his season, and that injury could be devastating for a corner with his style. Has limited experience. Forecast: His awful shoulder injury killed his upward momentum, but before the injury Barnes was often playing like a 2nd or 3rd rounder. If he checks out medically and performs well in quickness drills, he could get back to that status. Otherwise Barnes is a high risk/reward 4th-5th rounder. Fits best with a Cover 2 base scheme like the Colts or Bucs, a la the similarly built Marlin Jackson. 18. Keenan Lewis, Oregon State. 6?0.5?, 198 pounds, 4.55 40 Summary: Smart, instinctive cover man and leader with good size. Physical jammer who excels in press man coverage. Experienced starter with good savvy and strong character. Decent ball skills, fights for position well. Not real fast or exceptionally quick. Tight-hipped and long-striding, very challenged by quickness and receivers with sudden speed. Very hit and miss in run support; when he uses good form he?s quite good but his technique is inconsistent. Forecast: Has first-rate skills and character but his limited speed and quickness are real flags. Could thrive in the right system. His Combine will determine his draft round: if he posts strong times in the 40 and shuttles, he?s a top of the 4th rounder. If not, 6th-7th round. 19. Sherrod Martin, Troy. 6?1?, 197 pounds, 4.46 40 Summary: Big and strong for his size, with very good speed and burst. Very rangy, is used to coming off his man quickly and helping his fellow mates. Good hips, looks very fluid athletically. Plays the correct shoulder of the receiver well, uses his size and length nicely when the ball is in the air. Played gunner on special teams units and played it well. Not real instinctive in coverage, looked robotic and slow to react at times. At the Senior Bowl he struggled with smaller, quicker wideouts but looked very natural in zone coverage. Missed a season due to shoulder injuries, and his tackling sometimes looks like he?s protecting them. Forecast: Has the size and athleticism teams covet, and has shown a coachable attitude and desire to improve that teams like. A good 3rd-4th round sleeper who comes from a college noted for producing defenders that blossom in the NFL. 20. Victor ?Macho? Harris, Virginia Tech. 5?11?, 188 pounds, 4.65 40 Summary: Confident, vocal leader who employs a very physical style. Closes on the ball quickly. Very good in run support and a big hitter. Stock is plummeting after looking woefully slow and underathletic during Senior Bowl week. He went into that week with lots of questions about his ability to run with receivers and use proper technique, and he failed miserably on both counts. Holds way too much, a PI machine. Lacks the speed of faster TEs, let alone WRs. Has value for Cover-2 teams, but those are going the way of the barefoot kicker. Probably better as a strong safety and special teamer, where he has long excelled. Forecast: If he cracks 4.6 in the 40, he probably salvages a 5th round pick for a Tampa 2 or Cover 2 base defense. If not, 6th-7th rounder who will have to transition to safety. Others Mark Parson, Ohio University: he?s clearly brilliant for his choice in colleges (I?m a proud Bobcat myself!), and Parson is an aggressive ballhawk with a great fight/size of dog ratio. Sadly the dog is pretty small (5?8?, 180) and not super fast (in the 4.55 range). A slower Captain Munnerlyn without all the holding, Parson is my early pick for Mr. Irrelevant, the last player taken in the draft. Deangelo Smith, Cincinnati: projects much better as an NFL safety, where his range and pop are better served and his iffy footwork and tight hips are mitigated. 4th rounder at safety. Morgan Trent, Michigan: smart, tough, physical press corner with good size. Great in run support, does well in short-area coverage. Lacks speed and agile quickness, though he looked lither in Mobile than he did at UM. Teams could do a lot worse in finding a high-floor, low-ceiling backup CB. 6th round. Domonique Johnson, Jackson State: real big, fast transfer from Missouri with outstanding measurable but looked very over his head during Senior Bowl week. I went to Mobile genuinely hoping to discover a real gem but I saw nothing that says ?NFL corner? other than his athletic prowess. His lack of instincts and tentative play aren?t going to go away, and he?s not a strong enough or reliable enough tackler to convert to safety. Don?t get too excited when he wows at the Combine. Will be overdrafted in the 4th-5th round. Joe Burnett, Central Florida: undersized speedster with a good nose for the ball. Brings as much to the table as a return man (where he has major potential) as he does at corner, but has enough raw coverage skills to stick as a slot/nickel back. 4th-5th round. Jahi Word-Daniels, Georgia Tech: stock fell because of a hamstring injury that wiped out a lot of his senior year. Has great measurables, but he plays very upright and is not a fluid athlete. Widely perceived as ?soft?, and he will have to fight hard to change that perception. If cover skills alone were rated, he?s in the top 10 here, but there?s a lot more to playing corner in the NFL than just coverage. 4th round. Ryan Palmer, Texas: undersized talent with durability issues. Often plays like he?s trying to not get hurt, even though he often played with minor injuries. Impressed with his cover skills and physicality during East-West Shrine week, and at times during his Longhorn career looked like a much better prospect. Could be a good find if he plays with consistent intensity and shows more toughness, though he?ll always be a liability against the run. 5th-6th round. Donald Washington, Ohio State: Washington is an interesting case. Always a capable #2 corner at Ohio State, he was faced with the prospect of losing his starting job to a couple of highly-touted recruits. Since he already graduated, he gave up his final year of eligibility and entered the draft. He never stood out amongst a talented OSU defense, but he?s a solid all-around corner who could fit nicely as a #4 CB and special teamer, esp. for a predominantly zone cover team. 6th rounder. Wopamo Osaisai, Stanford: a champion NCAA sprinter trying to play football, with mixed results. His speed will tempt some team in the 6th round. Christopher Owens, San Jose State: has seen perhaps more balls than any draft-worthy CB playing opposite Francies and current Jet Peanut Lowery the last two years. A fighter with good speed and decent instincts, Owens gives max effort but lacks the size and strength to handle bigger or more physical WRs. Reminds me of Ricky Manning Jr., who had a couple of real nice seasons as a nickel back before fizzling. 3rd-5th round depending on how teams feel about his ceiling. Ellis Lankster, West Virginia: CB/FS tweener who doesn?t do anything particularly well or poorly either. Not real big or fast but upwardly mobile; showed athletic improvement as the year progressed during his brief stint at WVU. Brings value on special teams. 5th-6th round. Bruce Johnson, Miami FL: sprinter with an aggressive attitude, Johnson does not lack for confidence or speed. Has an odd technique--he lines up tight but doesn?t backpedal, choosing to run stride for stride. It works great on deeper routes but he was burned a lot on shorter, quicker routes and had problems getting thru traffic. Short and offers little resistance against the run. 7th rounder. And because I know you love them, two small-college sleepers: Derek Cox, William & Mary: tall, quicker-than-fast scrapper who is great in run support, though he needs to attack the weight room and add ~15 functional pounds. Decent man coverage skills and very opportunistic with the ball in the air. Excelled as a return man and might get drafted in the 7th round because of it. William Middleton, Furman: I only saw 1.5 games of him, but Middleton absolutely dominated the field with his physical style, great speed, and intense vocal leadership--as if Ray Lewis was playing corner. If he can make the jump in level of competition, he could be the next Cortland Finnegan...or he might not make it through his first training camp. More info needed, but keep an eye on what team brings him to camp. Jeff.Risdon@RealGM.com