Kiper's Top 25 senior NFL prospects

Five new prospects, led by Virginia Tech C Jake Grove, make their debuts in my rankings of the Top 25 prospects for the 2004 NFL draft:

1. Roy Williams, WR, Texas (6-4, 213) | previous ranking: same
Williams is a brilliant talent who has excelled this season despite a lack of consistent quarterback play (33 catches, 14.7 yards per catch, five TDs). Texas runs a conservative offense that isn't especially sophisticated in its passing schemes. I expect Williams to hold on to the top spot on my Big Board throughout the draft process. Depending on the juniors who declare early for the draft, he might drop -- but he'll likely remain in the top three overall. There's no question that Williams is the best senior prospect in the nation (and remember, until juniors actually declare after the season is done, I don't rank them). So Williams remains the clear No. 1.

A superb athlete with great size, he averaged 17.8 yards per catch with 12 TDs in 2002, when he returned to the all-world form he displayed as a freshman after slipping somewhat as a sophomore (when he averaged just 12.5 yards per catch). If Williams had declared for the 2003 draft, he likely would have been an overall top 10-15 pick and the third receiver off the board, behind Michigan State's Charles Rogers and Miami's Andre Johnson.


2. Robert Gallery, OT, Iowa (6-7, 318) | previous ranking: same
His size and physical skills make him ideally suited for pass protection. Over the past two years, Gallery has developed into one of the nation's premier left tackles. Intelligent and a good athlete, he started his college career as a tight end. He is key for the Hawkeyes in 2003, because he's the only returning starter on the O-line. He's gotten bigger and stronger throughout his college career.



3. Eli Manning, QB, Ole Miss (6-4, 210) | previous ranking: same
Manning could be this year's Carson Palmer, who made a quantum leap up the draft board last year and wound up becoming the the No. 1 overall pick in the 2003 NFL draft (to the Bengals). Manning has the potential to be the second or third pick overall in 2004. If he had declared for the draft last year, he might have been a late first-rounder. The younger brother of Colts QB Peyton Manning, Eli has an outstanding arm.



4. Will Smith, DE, Ohio State (6-3½, 255) | previous ranking: 5
Smith is an excellent natural pass rusher with great closing speed. He was the headliner on the Buckeyes' stellar defensive front seven last season (recording 10½ tackles for loss and 4½ sacks). Had he declared for the 2003 draft, he probably would have been a late first-rounder. In '04 he could be an early first-round pick.



5. D.J. Williams, OLB, Miami (6-2, 240) | previous ranking: 4
A superb physical specimen, Williams has developed into a tremendous player, with great athleticism and excellent range from sideline to sideline. He's also a good form tackler. He began his career as a fullback and was considered a great prospect coming out of De LaSalle High School in California. Had he declared for the '03 draft, he probably would have gone in the mid-to-late first round. Next year, he could be a top 5-10 pick.



6. J.P. Losman, QB, Tulane (6-2½, 220) | previous ranking: 7
Losman is a pure passer who can thread the needle or feather the ball when he has to. He's also one of the toughest quarterbacks in the country -- he'll hang in the pocket and take abuse in order to make throws. Losman has a passion for the game and studies endlessly, and he's an honors student in the classroom. With the skills and intangibles the NFL looks for, he has a chance to be a solid first-round draft pick.



7. Rashaun Woods, WR, Oklahoma State (6-2, 192) | previous ranking: 6
One of the most polished wide receivers in the nation. Woods runs a 4.5 in the 40-yard dash. But because he has quick feet and runs disciplined routes, he plays even faster than his 40 time indicates. He's good with his body in traffic, using it to shield the ball from the defender. In 2002, Woods caught 107 passes for 15.8 yards per catch (and 17 TDs).



8. Lee Evans, WR, Wisconsin (5-10½, 193) | previous ranking: same
Evans had a magnificent junior year in 2001, establishing a new Big Ten receiving record with 1,545 yards. Then, in 2002 spring practice, he suffered a serious knee injury that required further surgery in November 2002, causing him to miss the entire 2002 season. He's playing well now but isn't back to his pre-injury level yet. Evans possesses good leaping ability and outstanding pass-receiving skills. When he's healthy, he can be as good a wide receiver as Charles Rogers or Andre Johnson, who both declared early for the 2003 draft. As he works back to full strength, he's moving up my Big Board.



9. Jonathan Vilma, LB, Miami (6-2, 230) | previous ranking: 11
A middle linebacker who will shift to the outside in the NFL, Vilma is the latest in a long line of top-flight middle linebackers produced by the Hurricanes (including Ray Lewis, Nate Webster and Dan Morgan). He took over for Morgan, the Butkus award-winner after the 2000 season as the nation's top college linebacker. Vilma, who had outstanding 2001 and 2002 seasons, is an underrated standout for a strong team. He's smart, instinctive and fast (in the 4.5-4.6 range in the 40).



10. Karlos Dansby, OLB, Auburn (6-4, 225) | previous ranking: 14
With range and athleticism, Dansby can create difference-making plays in a variety of ways. He had an outstanding game recently vs. Arkansas. Dansby led the Tigers with 10 tackles for loss and four sacks in '02. He's an excellent pass rusher, and his best football is ahead. He's having a strong senior campaign.



11. Vernon Carey, OL, Miami (6-4, 355) | previous ranking: 14
Carey has starting experience at both tackle spots as well as right guard. His experience makes him a proven All-American-caliber lineman. He also has incredible athletic ability and the necessary mean streak. Carey is one of the nation's best offensive lineman.



12. Jacob Rogers, OT, USC (6-5½, 305) | previous ranking: same
Rogers has become one of the nation's top left tackles. He began his career as a tight end but was moved to left tackle as a redshirt freshman, and over the past two years he has developed nicely. He still needs time to master the techniques required to play the position, but he's made great strides and can effectively neutralize fast pass rushers. Rogers is also light on his feet, and his experience in offensive coordinator Norm Chow's pro-style attack should allow him to have an immediate impact in the NFL.

 

13. Derrick Strait, CB, Oklahoma (5-11, 193) | previous ranking: 15
Since redshirting in 1999, Strait has been on the field, so he'll finish his career as a four-year starter in the tough Big 12. With excellent size for a cornerback, he isn't satisfied to be only a cover guy -- he's also strong against the run. He tied for the team lead with six interceptions in '02 and returned them 175 yards (an impressive average of 29.2 yards per return). He also led the team with 13 pass breakups and was as good as (or better than) teammate Andre Woolfolk, a first-round pick in the '03 draft.



14. Ben Troupe, TE, Florida (6-4¼, 260) | previous ranking: 10
Troupe is an imposing figure and a gifted athlete. He caught only 15 passes last season while sharing time with current NFL tight end Aaron Walker. If he maximizes his ability and becomes more of a pass-catching option, Troupe should be a first- or second-round draft choice.



15. Michael Turner, RB, Northern Illinois (5-10, 223) | previous ranking: 16
After proving himself against MAC competition last year, with five 200-yard rushing games, Turner has turned it on again this year. He ran for 156 yards in Northern Illinois' huge 19-16 upset of Alabama earlier this season. He's showing his abilities against big-time competition.



16. Dunta Robinson, CB, South Carolina (5-11, 188) | previous ranking: 24
An underrated SEC standout, Robinson has excellent feet and great ball skills. There aren't many wide receivers who can accelerate past Robinson on deep routes. He consistently runs the 40-yard dash in the 4.40-4.45 range. Robinson is the kind of shutdown corner who can match up against the opponent's best receiver and hold up the entire game. Definitely a player on the rise.



17. Claude Harriott, DE, Pittsburgh (6-4, 255) | previous ranking: 9
Harriott wreaks serious havoc in the backfield. In 2002, Harriott led the Panthers with 9½ sacks and 7 forced fumbles in his first year as a starter. He also made 21 tackles for a loss, taking over games as a real difference-maker. He was a backup in his first two seasons.



18. Jake Grove, C, Virginia Tech (6-3, 300) | previous ranking: NEW to Big Board
It's rare to see a first-round-caliber center. It happened last year, with Notre Dame's Jeff Faine being drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the first round. It could happen this year with Grove, an outstanding anchor who controls the interior of the Hokies' offensive line. Grove has the ability to fire out at the middle linebacker while also handling collapse-the-pocket defensive tackles extremely well. As the QB of the O-line, he's a great leader. A rugged competitor, Grove is tough as nails and has played in lots of big games at perennial power Virginia Tech.



19. Stuart Schweigert, S, Purdue (6-2, 209) | previous ranking: 20
Schweigert is a true center fielder for the Boilermakers. His savvy and speed enable him to consistently show up in the middle of the action -- he runs a 4.48 in the 40-yard dash. Through September, Schweigert had 16 career interceptions.



20. Marcus Tubbs, DT, Texas (6-4¼, 325) | previous ranking: NEW to Big Board
Tubbs has been a consistently dominant performer in the Big 12. It's unusual for someone his size to have such quickness and up-field explosion. With great stamina and physical ability, Tubbs doesn't wear down in fourth quarter. He has tremendous potential.



21. James Newson, WR, Oregon State (6-0½, 210) | previous ranking: 22
Newson is reliable, tough and tremendous in the red zone. He had a huge game in a 45-17 win over Arizona State earlier this season -- six catches for 124 yards and a TD.



22. Will Allen, S, Ohio State (6-1, 193) | previous ranking: NEW to Big Board
Ohio State lost exceptional safety Mike Doss to the NFL, and Allen has stepped in admirably. Allen had a key interception against Michigan in the final regular-season game last year as the Buckeyes marched to the national championship. He also made the devastating hit that sidelined then-Miami RB Willis McGahee in the national-title game. Allen has been a standout performer all season in Ohio State's secondary.



23. Roderick Green, DE, Central Missouri State (D-II) (6-2½, 243) | previous ranking: 21
Green is the Division II version of Terrell Suggs, who established a new NCAA sack record last year at Arizona State (Suggs was the Ravens' 2003 first-round pick, No. 10 overall). A former juco All-American at Blinn Junior College in Texas, Green posted impressive stats last year: six sacks and 19 tackles for loss. This year, he started strong: in four games through September, he already had four sacks, 10 tackles for loss and six QB hurries (plus two forced fumbles). Against Missouri Southern, he recovered one of his forced fumbles -- off his own sack -- and returned it 26 yards for a touchdown. What's even more impressive is that he hasn't played a full game yet because Central Missouri State has been winning by large margins.



24. Keith Smith, CB, McNeese State (5-11½, 183) | previous ranking: NEW to Big Board
An intriguing I-AA prospect in the strong Southland Conference, Smith has recorded 56 career pass breakups (26 in 2002 alone). Those pass-breakup numbers are impressive. For instance, Dallas Cowboys rookie DB Terence Newman (the No. 5 overall pick in 2003) had 14 pass breakups last year at Kansas State. This year, Smith has five pass breakups, an interception and two blocked kicks. Keep in mind that most teams avoid throwing his way because of his impressive resumé. Smith was a multidimensional high-school athlete, playing running back and wide receiver as well as cornerback. He also ran track in high school on a state-championship relay team. At McNeese State, Smith ran on a school-record 4x400 relay team. He's been timed at 4.46 in the 40-yard dash, and he's already been invited to the Senior Bowl.



25. Tommy Kelly, DL, Mississippi State (6-6, 305) | previous ranking: NEW to Big Board
Kelly underachieved last season (just one sack), but he's surpassed that this season. Kelly is receiving excellent coaching from John Blake, the former Oklahoma head coach and former Cowboys defensive-line coach (during the Leon Lett years). Blake is in his first year as the defensive-line coach at Mississippi State. With the Cowboys, he helped develop Lett, who was an eighth-round pick out of Emporia State. Kelly plays defensive end on running downs and defensive tackle on passing downs. He had great games against Memphis and Vanderbilt, and it appears his best football is ahead of him. Ironically, he's in the Leon Lett mold.



DROPPED -- Dropped out of Top 25 (since last ranking):
Nathan Vasher, CB, Texas (5-9½, 181) | previous ranking: 17
Vasher has a chance to be the kind of prospect that current Chargers CB Quentin Jammer was coming out of college -- an excellent cover guy and a standout punt returner. With his size, Vasher fits the mold of former Texas A&M corner Aaron Glenn, now with the Houston Texans. Vasher has had some injury problems in the past, but if he stays healthy this year he could be the No. 2 cornerback in the draft behind Derrick Strait.



Darrion Scott, DL, Ohio State (6-3, 272) | previous ranking: 18
Scott is quick up the field and a bit underrated because he plays next to standout DE Will Smith. Scott has solid natural pass-rushing skills. He displays good technique and hustles at all times. Scott holds up well at the point of attack against the running game and brings a ton of experience to the Buckeyes' defensive line.



Stephen Peterman, OG, LSU (6-3½, 325) | previous ranking: 19
Peterman signed with LSU out of high school as a tight end but played defensive end as a freshman. He shifted to offensive guard during preseason (fall) practice in 2001 and has become one of the SEC's best guards. He's the best offensive lineman on one of the SEC's best offensive lines.



Greg Jones, RB, Florida State (6-1, 246) | previous ranking: 23
Jones was the nation's No. 1 junior running back to start the 2002 season. But after playing 10 games -- gaining 938 yards and averaging 5.8 yards per carry with eight TDs -- he was lost for the season with a knee injury. Before that, he put on a show. He's quick, with an outstanding size-speed ratio. He can make defenders miss and then punish the tackler. Had he stayed healthy and declared for the '03 draft, he likely would have been a top 5-10 pick.



Chris Perry, RB, Michigan (6-0½, 225) | previous ranking: 25
Perry is one of the nation's best running backs and a Heisman candidate. In the Wolverines' big 38-0 win over Notre Dame on Sept. 13, Perry was a big factor, recording 177 yards of total offense (133 rushing) and scoring four TDs (three rushing). Perry is especially tough in short-yardage situations, and he's shown more flash and more breakaway speed this season. He ran for 1,100 yards in 2002.

 

Dammit, Kiper, stop moving Duanta up. No one else is, and I want him to drop to us.

 

I think that this guy could be there when we pick, because his draft board is seniors only. There will be some underclassmen declaring.

19. Stuart Schweigert, S, Purdue (6-2, 209) | previous ranking: 20
Schweigert is a true center fielder for the Boilermakers. His savvy and speed enable him to consistently show up in the middle of the action -- he runs a 4.48 in the 40-yard dash. Through September, Schweigert had 16 career interceptions.

 

It's kinda nice to know we won't even sniff the top 25 in the next draft.