1. C.J. Spiller, Clemson

Spiller is an explosive back that has scouts drooling. He has drawn comparisons to current Saints running back Reggie Bush, but Spiller has a more solid build and his legs don’t go dead on first contact like Bush. Spiller also has added value with his ability to catch passes out of the backfield and he will contribute in the returning game.

As a receiver, the Clemson back runs excellent routes and has great hands. He would be a perfect change of pace back and will be utilized in many positions. You could see Spiller in the backfield, lined up at slot or even split out wide.

Spiller will need to work on his pass protection and he isn’t going to be effective around the goal line, however, his explosiveness and versatility along with his patience and vision will land him in the top of the draft.

Grade: Top 15 pick
____________________________________________

2. Ryan Mathews, Fresno State

The nation’s leading rusher Ryan Mathews, unlike C.J. Spiller, has the size (5′11, 220) to become an every down back in the NFL. He has incredible footwork and balance. He proved during his time at Fresno State that he can handle the main load while still maintaining his speed.

Mathews will need to improve as a receiving threat, but he is a very reliable ball carrier.

What he lacks in the receiving game, Mathews more than makes up for it with his ball security and toughness. In his 535 career carries, Mathews only allowed the ball to hit the turf three times.

Mathews runs with power and he still has the ability to make defenders miss in tight spaces. If Mathews see a gap he will beat the defender to the spot and take the ball all the way to the endzone.

Grade: Top 25 pick

____________________________________________

3. Jahvid Best, California

Jahvid Best has been out of action since November 7 when he suffered a serious concussion against Oregon State. Best is another speed back, which this class is heavy on.

He has elite speed, but what makes him dangerous is his ability to maintain that speed in and out of the cuts. Best always keeps his feet moving and that allows him to pick up some extra yards. He does need to get stronger and run with more power, but with his elusiveness and vision, Best will be able to find the hole.

Best also brings the added value as a receiving threat. He has soft hands and is brilliant in open space. He runs with a low pad level that will make him a challenge to bring down for defensive backs.

Grade: First-round pick

____________________________________________

4. Dexter McCluster, Ole Miss

McCluster is the most exciting player in this year’s draft. He is the jack of all trades and has really seen his value skyrocket in the offseason. McCluster blew scouts away at the Senior Bowl with his ability to play both running back and wide receiver.

With his lack of size (5-foot-6, 165-pounds), McCluster will likely be drafted as a running back and could see himself filling the “Darren Sproles” role for an offense. The running style is similar, however, the Ole Miss back is a much better passing threat than Sproles.

McCluster will be highly valued with his home run ability. Offensive coordinators will be lobbying to take this guy in the teams war rooms on draft day.

____________________________________________

5. Jonathan Dwyer, Georgia Tech

Dwyer is one of the top power backs in this year’s class. At 235-pounds, he runs with incredible power and will not shy away from contact. Dwyer had 517 carries during his time at Georgia Tech and he never recorded a fumble in his collegiate career.

His numbers are not as eye-dropping as some other prospects, but that is mainly due to his role in the Yellow Jackets triple-option offense. Dwyer served as the fullback where most of his work was done inside the tackles.

While his numbers may have suffered, his leg strength and bruising running style was highlighted.

Grade: mid to late second-round pick

Click here to see the Top 5 QB Rankings.

The Positional Ranking Score shows which positions NFL front offices have valued the most over the past decade. After all, if a team is willing to burn a top-ten pick and a pile of cash on a player, that means they value both the player and his respective position tremendously. Here are the results using the 1999-2008 NFL Drafts…

1. Quarterback – 11.3 PRS

2. Wide Receiver – 7.9 PRS

3. Pass Rushers (Pass-Rushing LBs + DEs) – 7.4 PRS

3. Running Back – 7.3 PRS

4. Offensive Tackles – 7.2 PRS

5. Defensive Ends – 6.8 PRS

6. Defensive Tackles – 4.5 PRS

7. (tie) Cornerback – 2.9 PRS

7. (tie) Linebackers (PRLBs + NPRLBs) – 2.9 PRS

8. Non-Pass-Rushing Linebackers – 2.3 PRS

9. Saftey – 2.1 PRS

10. Tight End – 1.1 PRS

As you can see, there is a heavy emphasis on skill positions and protecting/rushing the QB. I have long believed that QB is the most important position in the NFL. This proves that the front offices of NFL franchises are in agreement with my theory. Wide receiver, pass rusher (as well as defensive end by itself), running back (not trending downward as much as you’d expect) and offensive tackles are also viewed as impact PRS positions (+5 PRS or higher).

Defensive tackle is close to being an impact PRS position, but misses the mark by .5 points. We’ll dub it the lone middle-value PRS position. Other positions miss by quite a bit, and are considered non-impact PRS positions. This is why past picks like Michael Huff (2.1 PRS) and Vernon Davis (1.1 PRS), and an upcoming pick like Aaron Curry (2.9 PRS even if you give him just LB) don’t make a lot of sense. Their positions just don’t hold top-ten value. This chart also shows why past picks like Jake Long (7.2 PRS) and Mario Williams (7.4 PRS) make so much sense. It also shows that Michael Crabtree (7.9 PRS) is probably undervalued heading into this weekend, and explains how someone like DE Tyson Jackson or LB Larry English could sneak into the top ten.

Now, there are always exceptions to the rule. But it’s my guess that NFL teams have some sort of rankings system like this one in order to both prevent them from picking a bust and overspending on a non-premium position.

QB | RB | WR | TE | T | G/C | DT | DE | LB | CB | S | K | P

1. Michael Crabtree (Texas Tech) Round Projection: First 5 Picks This is a once in a lifetime chance in my opinion. Even if he won’t be picked first, Crabtree is the most talented player available.

	2. Jeremy Maclin (Missouri) Round Projection: Middle 1st Possibly the best route runner in the draft, Maclin (4.33 40) also has killer speed too.
	3. Percy Harvin (Florida) Round Projection: Middle First It really depends on what the team is looking for when it comes down to Harvin vs. Bey for the #2 spot. Harvin can be used anywhere, but his 5 foot 11 inch height greatly hurts his draft stock.
	4. Derrius Heyward Bey (Maryland) Round Projection: Late 1st-2nd And already our fourth explosive receiver. I thought he could’ve had a more productive year so he would be the talk of the WR corp.
	5. Juaquin Iglesias (Oklahoma) Round Projection: 2nd His standout play in the Senior Bowl after the week of practice he had has convinced me that he is this year’s Eddie Royal The only things he’s lacking are great size and elite top-end speed.
	6. Hakeem Nicks (North Carolina) Round Projection: 2nd Nicks is similar to Iglesias, just not quite as polished. He brings everything to the table except elite height and speed.
	7. Kenny Britt (Rutgers) Round Projection: 2nd-3rd Britt has got great size and his college portfolio is impressive. We’re just not sure that he has that tremendous upside you look for in a WR prospect.
	8. Brian Robiskie (Ohio State) Round Projection: 2nd-5th Robiskie’s speed (4.53 40) is the only thing holding him back at this point. He puts up great numbers (55 receptions, 11 TDs) on one of the nation’s best teams.
	9. Derrick Williams (Penn State) Round Projection: 3rd-6th Here’s a guy that many teams will like because of his versatility. Want him to return kicks? No problem. Catch the football? No problem. His speed (4.38 40) makes him hard to tackle.
	10. Louis Murphy (Florida) Round Projection: 3rd-6th Just had a minor knee surgery that could affect his stock. Serious deep threat in the vertical passing game who needs to work on the rest of his game.

QB | RB | WR | TE | T | G/C | DT | DE | LB | CB | S | K | P

RANK	TEAM	POSITION	PLAYER
1		P	T.J. Conley
2		P	Kevin Huber
3		P	Tim Masthay
4		P	Aaron Perez
5		P	Chris Miller

QB | RB | WR | TE | T | G/C | DT | DE | LB | CB | S | K | P

RANK	TEAM	POSITION	PLAYER
1		K	Louie Sakoda
2		K	Jose Martinez
3		K	Graham Gano
4		K	Pat McAfee
5		K	Colt David

QB | RB | WR | TE | T | G/C | DT | DE | LB | CB | S | K | P

RANK	TEAM	POSITION	PLAYER
1		SS	William Moore
2		SS	Patrick Chung
3		SS	Michael Hamlin
4		FS	Lewis Delmas
5		SS	Chip Vaughn

QB | RB | WR | TE | T | G/C | DT | DE | LB | CB | S | K | P

RANK	TEAM	POSITION	PLAYER
1		CB	Malcom Jenkins
2		CB	Vontae Davis
3		CB	Alphonso Smith
4		CB	DJ Moore
5		CB	Sean Smith

QB | RB | WR | TE | T | G/C | DT | DE | LB | CB | S | K | P

RANK	TEAM	POSITION	PLAYER
1		OLB/ILB	Aaron Curry
2		ILB	Rey Maualuga
3		OLB	Brian Cushing
4		ILB	James Laurinaitis
5		OLB	Aaron Maybin

QB | RB | WR | TE | T | G/C | DT | DE | LB | CB | S | K | P

RANK	TEAM	POSITION	PLAYER
1		DE	Brian Orakpo
2		DE	Everette Brown
3		DE	Michael Johnson
4		DE	Robert Ayers
5		DE	Tyson Jackson

QB | RB | WR | TE | T | G/C | DT | DE | LB | CB | S | K | P

RANK	TEAM	POSITION	PLAYER
1		DT	Peria Jerry
2		DT	B.J. Raji
3		DT	Evander Hood
4		DT	Sen’Derrick Marks
5		DT	Fili Moala