2008 PFW Prospect Rankings Released

Pro Football Weekly just released their pre-draft rankings of over 1,100 NFL players. I tend to consider these rankings a little more credible than ESPN's--who contract the majority of their content from Scouts, Inc.--or Yahoo! Sports--who contract all of their content Rivals.com. PFW is typically the last on the scene, but they seem to value quality above timeliness.

I wasn't overly-surprised by many of their rankings. Their "speed" numbers are a little perplexing given that they don't jive with any of the combine resources I tend to look at. There are also some interesting positional classifications, such as Quentin Groves and Cliff Avril being classified as outside linebackers while Vernon Gholston--another 3-4 defensive end--is classified as a defensive end. Also, I think its silly that Dan Connor would be classified as an outside linebacker while Jerod Mayo is listed at inside linebacker.

Michigan State receiver Devin Thomas further solidifies his status as an early first day pick. Assuming Buffalo targets a receiver with their first pick, Denver may have the enviable position of trading up with the likes of Cincinnati--who could use an extra first-day pick or three--or trading down with a team like Tampa Bay, Minnesota, or Washington, who may want to leapfrog Chicago to grab the top receiver.

At defensive tackle, DeMario Pressley slips into the 5th round on this board. As honorable mention in my best-value DT's list, I might have to reconsider. Pressley isn't the ideal candidate to redress Denver's atrocious run defense, but he's hard to pass up for 5th-round money. The rest of my best value picks stayed where I predicted in my column. Denver may very well have the opportunity to grab both Bryant and Rubin in round 4. Let's hope they don't screw it up now that Sundquist is out of the way.

No safety projected as a first-round talent. Given the paucity of options at safety in this year's draft, that doesn't mean we won't see one go early. If Denver is confident one of their coveted safety prospects will be there, we may see them address this need in the second round. Assuming for a moment that Denver manages to trade down, that would leave them free to grab a guy like Curtis Lofton, a receiver, or maybe even a wildcard like CB Mike Jenkins. Stranger things have happened.