Mahatma's NFL Draft Position Rankings: QBs and Rbs

The big event in the NFL off-season is the draft and this year makes no exception. As we wind our way to the draft, I’ll try to give SUS nation the low down on the major players involved and which round you’ll likely see some of your favorite college stars end up. Naturally, things have changed since we last talked draft. The combine came and went and various universities and colleges had their respective pro days to ensure that their athletes can appear greater than what they actually are. I read somewhere that 80% of where players are drafted is based on their regular season performance. The other 20% is for BS like the combine and the pro days.

I will attempt to rank the players by position in an attempt for wannabe draft gurus to check where players of note can be found. Of course this is all purely subjective. Teams come in with new systems and coaches every year and various draft boards are all over the place.

QB:

The QB class in general is average at best but a ton of guys have potential to break through. There is no Manning, or Puss boy Palmer walking through that door but you do have Ryan and Brohm who are the closest thing to franchise QBs around. Flacco makes things happen and Henne has the size and arm to get things accomplished. My sleeper in all of this Erik Ainge who thoroughly impressed me when watching him play throughout college.

1) Matt Ryan / BC (sucks) / top 15 pick

2) Brian Brohm / Louisville / late 1st – early 2^nd

3) Chad Henne / Michigan / 2^nd

4) Joe Flacco / Delaware / 2^nd -3^rd

5) Andre Woodson / Kentucky / 3^rd

6) Erik Ainge / Tennessee / 3^rd – 4^th

7) Josh Johnson / San Diego / 3^rd – 4^th

8) Dennis Dixon / Oregon / 6^th

9) John David Booty / USC / 6^th – 7^th

10) Matt Flynn / LSU / 7th

11) Sam Keller / Nebraska / 7^th - UDFA

12) Kevin O’Connell/ San Diego State / 7^th - UDFA

13) Paul Smith / Tulsa / UDFA

14) Colt Brennan/Hawaii/ UDFA

15) Xavier Lee / FSU / UDFA

RB:

The RB class in general is very good and among one of the best in the last decade. There aren't 5 legit running backs like in 2006 but the problem is most teams have a decent group of guys as is. The latest trend in the NFL is to now have 2 studly running backs and I look to see a number of these players drafted to give their respective teams that two headed monster that propelled Colts and Giants to Superbowls in the last 2 seasons. McFadden is a stud and is the odds on favorite to win the rookie of the year at this point next season. Behind him are bangers, Mandenhall and Stewart. Two guys who run hard yet have enough speed to beat you around the corner. Stewart just got hurt so his stock will slide as he likely won't play until training camp . Jones/Charles and Johnson all have elite breakaway speed. Rutgers homers will shocked to see Rice slip all the way to round 3 but with injury concerns and a deep class, Rice could still end up being a valuable contributor to a team’s rushing attack. Tons of unheralded guys from other universities can make the leap but unless you can find me some tape of SW Missouri State I’ll stick with what I got.

1) Darren McFadden / Arkansas / top 5 pick

2) Rashard Mandenhall / Illinois / 1^st

3) Jonathan Stewart / Cal / 1^st

4) Felix Jones / Arkansas / late 1^st – early 2^nd

5) Chris Johnson/ ECU/ 2^nd

6) Jamaal Charles / Texas /2nd

7) Kevin Smith / UCF / 2^nd – 3^rd

8) Matt Forte / Tulane / 3^rd

9) Ray Rice / Rutgers / 3^rd

10) Justin Forsett / Cal / 3^rd -4^th

11) Jehruu Caulcrick / Michigan State / 4^th

12) Tashard Choice / Georgia Tech / 5^th

13) Thomas Brown / Georgie / 5^th

14) Cory Boyd/ South Carolina / 5^th – 6^th

15) Steve Slaton / WVU / 6th