I wanted to elaborate on the guys in my top 25 who I am either higher or lower on than most draftniks. Clearly, there are a couple on my list that will raise some eyebrows, so I felt it necessary to explain.

BJ Raji- I’m only slightly higher on him than most and this may be mainly due to the fact that I’m lower on some of the guys popularly placed ahead of him, but I do think he is an absolute beast. I’ve seen him play plenty as a Wake Forest fan, and he makes his presence felt on seemingly every play. I think he can play the nose in a 3-4 or as more of a pass rusher in a traditional 4-3. I would honestly consider him at #1 if I were the Lions.

Andre Smith- Another physical beast who can absolutely dominate up front. He reminds me a lot of current Eagle Shawn Andrews. He could be a big road grating right tackle or right guard and become one of the best in football at either spot. The off the field stuff is worrisome, but he has one of the highest ceilings in the draft and so he makes my top 5.

Malcolm Jenkins- I love him as a Free Safety. I payed a lot of attention to college safeties this past year because I was looking for Brian Dawkins’ replacement (don’t worry, I found him, his name is Taylor Mays). The knock on Jenkins is speed and that could be an issue at corner, but at safety, he’s plenty fast and his playmaking ability should make him quite a ballhawk.

Percy Harvin- Another guy with off the field issues that will drop him much lower than he should go. He’s the most exciting player in this draft, and could actually turn into a better NFL player than Reggie Bush because he should be much better outside. I’m not sure he can hold up at running back for more than 5-10 carries a game plus some wildcat runs, but if you find ways to get him touches, he will make plays.

Everette Brown- Another guy who I’ve seen plenty of, and perhaps I’m guilty of a slight ACC bias, but I think he’s the best edge rusher in this draft. I’d love to have him on the outside of a 3-4, and I think that’s exactly where he’ll end up, though much lower than he should.

Brandon Pettigrew- Best Tight End to come out in a few years. He’s a great blocker and a very solid receiver. He’s not going to beat you down the field like an Antonio Gates, but his size and hands should make him a very valauble option for any quarterback.

Robert Ayers- Best all around Defensive End in this draft. He can play the run or the pass, and once he puts on some pounds, he will be a very solid starting end in either a 3-4 or 4-3.

Louis Delmas- Another sympton of my Free Safety fetish. I think this guy is one of the more underrated defensive players in this draft. He can step right in and start for any team looking for a safety. I’ll put it this way, I’d be very happy if the Eagles took him at 21.

Mark Sanchez and Matt Stafford- I’ll tackle both of these guys at once. They are junior quarterbacks who had solid college careers with flashes of brilliance. Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco were both 5th year seniors and very consistent players. Taking Stafford #1 is monumentally stupid for a franchise looking to bounce back from a decade of incompetence. Look at the weapons he had on that Georgia team and then look at his success. He needs at least a year before he’s ready to play in the NFL if everything goes right. Please, for the love of God, take Jason Smith. You can find a quarterback somewhere else. I’m a little higher on Sanchez because he’s more consistent, but he also needs time to develop. Take a look at the list of junior quarterbacks drafted in the first round, it reads like a suicide note.

Brian Orakpo- Classic boom or bust type player. I’m just not sold on him as a Pro Bowl type end. He reminds me too much of Vernon Gholston for me to rate him much higher than I did.

Pat White- I’m sure it was a bit surprising to see this guy in a top 25, but I really love his chances to become a very valauble NFL player. You can use him in the wildcat, you can use him in the slot, you can even use him at QB, and one thing we’ve always known about him is that he makes plays with the ball in his hands. I’m not very high on many of the other WR’s that are popular first round picks, so I’ll take the guy I know can score any time he touches it.