
Quarterback Matt Barkley during a visit to a USC fall practice before the 2008 USC Trojans football season and his senior year in high school. He is making the traditional USC Trojan "V" for victory hand sign. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
By Anthony”Mini-Kiper” Carillo -contributing writer/reporter-Football Reporters Online
1) Quarterback Matt Barkley USC
Matt Barkley is going to be a 4 year starter at USC, which is more than Carson Palmer, Mark Sanchez and Matt Leinhart can say. Barkley has fantastic arm strength arm strength and great accuracy as well. He runs a west coast offense at USC which will help him transition over to the NFL.
NFL COMPARSION-Matt Cassell
2) Running back Marcus Lattimore South Carolina
Lattimore is an absolute work horse. He can smash it up between the tackles, and he has the breakaway speed to get to the next level. Lattimore will be an instant success in the NFL, and with the right offensive line he will become an all-pro in no time.
NFL COMPARSION-Adrian Peterson
3) Offensive Tackle Taylor Lewan Michigan
Lewan is a big tackle with long arms and a lot of upper body strength. He needs to work on his footwork a little bit, but at the end of the day he will blossom into a dominant left tackle for whatever team takes him.
NFL COMPARSION-Jake Long
4) Running Back Montee Ball Wisconsin
Montee Ball is a very elusive runner who is very agile and can make instant cuts and get up the field. He also has great hands for a running back so he is also a threat in the passing game. He was a first team all-american last season and look for him to be even better as he puts on a few pounds of muscle and gets even faster and more elusive.
NFL COMPARSION-Ryan Matthews
5) Wide Receivers Robert Woods USC
Woods is a great receiver who can jump through the roof and stretch the field. He has great hands and runs crisp clean routes. He will need to work on getting physical off the line of scrimmage but he is going to be a pro bowler within the first few years he is in the league.
NFL COMPARSION-Santonio Holmes
6) Running Back Knile Davis Arkansas
Davis is powerful as well as speedy. The only questions surrounding his draft stock is how he bounces back from his leg injury he had last year. If he can bounce back and have a stellar season, some team would be glad to take him because he is a playmaker and will be a spark for whatever offense he goes to.
NFL COMPARSION-Shonne Green
7) Offensive Tackle/Guard Barrett Jones Alabama
Jones is a big powerful lineman who has great technique. He has a sturdy base and can get off blocks and move to the next level quickly. A very explosive lineman who also has great hands and good lower body strength.
NFL COMPARSION-David Diehl
8) Quarterback Tyler Wilson Arkansas
Wilson is a quarterback with a very powerful arm and great pocket awareness. Do not be surprised if Wilson shoots up and challenges Barkley for the top quarterback spot after this season. He is a talented quarterback who will excel at the next level.
NFL COMPARSION-Phillip Rivers
9) Wide Receiver Marquess Wilson Washington State
Wilson shatter almost all the receiving records at WSU, and he is going to be an impact player in the NFL. With a tall lanky frame he is a great red zone threat due to his height, and he has great hands to be able to make the tough catches.
NFL COMPARSION-Larry Fitzgerald
10) Running back Joseph Randle Oklahoma State
Randle is a fast running back who has great field vision and can make defenders miss. He played in a run and shoot offense at Oklahoma State but he will definitely be able to transition into a NFL running back. He also is a great pass catcher so he can be used almost as a slot receiver.
NFL COMPARSION-Felix Jones
11) Quarterback Landry Jones Oklahoma
Landry Jones is a big, strong armed quarterback that can move in the pocket and deliver the football wherever the ball needs to be. He also has great field vision and great accuracy.
NFL COMPARSION-Sam Bradford
12) Offensive Tackle DJ Flukner Alabama
Flukner is a big tackle at 6’6’’, and can move very well for his size. He has long arms and he keeps his feet moving through blocks. He has great hands and upper body strength. A very explosive player, he can work off his blocks and move to the next level quickly.
NFL COMPARSION-Ryan Clady
13) Wide Receiver Tayvon Austin West Virginia
A short, shifty receiver who makes plays in open space and in an absolute burner. He can stretch the field and get the ball at its highest point. He can take a five yard pass and make one or two moves and turn it into a seventy yard touchdown.
NFL COMPARSION-DeSean Jackson
14) Wide Receiver Keenan Allen California
Allen is a great receiver with good size to be physical at the line of scrimmage. He has good hands and has the necessary speed to out run defenders. The one thing he needs to work on is sharpening up his route running and coming out of breaks clean.
NFL COMPARSION-Dwayne Bowe
15) SLEEPER PICK-Running back Rex Burkhead Nebraska
Burkhead is a great running back that teams will pass on solely because of his size, but in reality he is going to be a great compliment running back in the NFL. He is powerful, elusive and fast and would be a great third down running back or a great option for the screen game, almost just like how the Patriots use running back Danny Woodhead.
NFL COMPARSION-Danny Woodhead