DRAFT 2006: Profiles of top offensive players by position

NEW YORK (AP) -Top offensive players in next weekend's NFL draft, grouped by projected NFL positions. All are seniors unless noted.

--- QUARTERBACKS

POSITION OUTLOOK: After Matt Leinart and Vince Young come off the board, most likely in that order, the talent begins to thin out at QB - although Jay Cutler could conceivably be the second QB taken. After those three are gone, most of the QBs available are more projects, and won't likely be anointed immediate future superstars. Of course, when it comes to NFL quarterbacks, sometimes that's a good thing. Remember a sixth-round choice named Tom Brady?

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MATT LEINART, 6-foot-4, 224, Southern California - Cut through all the hype and championships and intangibles, and Leinart is still pretty close to the ideal NFL QB candidate. He has the height and frame scouts like, and has been praised by scouting services for his instincts, quick reads of defenses and poise. His accuracy is excellent and his arm strength adequate. The left-hander has an injury history, however, with elbow tendinitis in 2004 and surgery in 2005, as well as a rotator-cuff problem in high school.

VINCE YOUNG, Texas, 6-4, 233, junior - A nightmare for every defense he faced in college with his combination of accurate passing and elusive, open-field running. Big enough to see over the line, his sidearm delivery worked for him in college, but could lead to more batted passes in the NFL. Arm strength is adequate. Occasionally relies on his running ability too much, leaving the pocket before the play develops. Led Texas to the national title, outdueling Leinart in Rose Bowl.

JAY CUTLER, Vanderbilt, 6-2 3/4, 288 - Has all the necessary physical skills to succeed in the NFL, including size, arm strength and scrambling ability. While he's no Vince Young, he is still a threat to take off and throw on the run. Needs to improve his mechanics, especially with his release. Consistency is also a concern. Will occasionally force a throw. Has become slightly overhyped and could be a reach if he's taken too early. But he also could be a gem.

OMAR JACOBS, Bowling Green, 6-3 3/4, 224, junior - Unpolished, but could turn out to be a jewel, given time. Has excellent accuracy and touch on short to medium routes, plenty of zip on deep patterns, though short passes are his forte for now. Mechanics could use work, as could his reads and his patience in the pocket. Occasionally leans on his running ability too much.

BRODIE CROYLE, Alabama, 6-2 1/4, 204 - Injuries are the biggest negative with him, both because he's shown an inability to stay healthy and because the missed time has hampered his development. Could stand to add some bulk, but otherwise has the tools. Arm strength is excellent, though he occasionally puts too much mustard on short routes. Good release and mechanics.

OTHERS TO WATCH:

- Kellen Clemens, Oregon. An excellent scrambler who might be worth a shot for teams willing to overlook durability issues and invest some time ironing out his inconsistencies.

- Bruce Gradkowski, Toledo. Accuracy and touch are his hallmarks, along with a nice, quick release. Lacks ideal size and could have rocky transition from spread offense to pro-style.

- Charlie Whitehurst, Clemson. Scouts like his excellent size and arm strength, but his gunslinger mentality may give teams pause. He's erratic, but shows definite upside. Sounds like a project.

- Reggie McNeal, Texas A&M. A gifted runner, he sometimes seems more comfortable when improvising on the run. Doesn't force many throws, but lacks ideal height. Has residual value as a returner or WR, a la Antwaan Randle El.

- Drew Olson, UCLA. Sound fundamentals, but he lacks ideal size and tends to hold the ball too long.

- Marcus Vick, Virginia Tech. Michael's little brother has plenty of off-field baggage. Would have been a better prospect in 2007, but was dismissed from school after Hokies' bowl game. A definite risk, but not without potential.

---RUNNING BACKS

POSITION OUTLOOK: Half of the elite prospects come from Southern California, where Reggie Bush and LenDale White comprised a devastating backfield. Bush, the 2006 Heisman Trophy winner, could be the first overall pick, and it wouldn't be too much of a surprise if White was the second back off the board. Neither former Trojan is the all-around running-back prospect that DeAngelo Williams is. Laurence Maroney is also a potential star in the right system.

REGGIE BUSH, Southern California, 5-11 1/2, 203, junior - Fast, elusive and nearly impossible to take down in the open field, as multiple highlight-reel runs from his 2005 Heisman-winning season demonstrated. Smaller than ideal for an NFL back, he's not the type to move the pile or soak up 30 carries. He is, however, the type to stretch defenses on any down by lining up as a wideout and causing a mismatch with a linebacker or safety. Has excellent hands, probably the best of any RB in the draft, and runs routes well. Potentially explosive in the return game, as well. He could be a devastating weapon for the team that deploys him properly, most likely with another, bulkier back.

DEANGELO WILLIAMS, Memphis, 5-8 1/2, 217 - An elite all-around prospect, he's quick and compact, but also elusive and difficult to tackle. He's also a good pass catcher and route runner. With his balance and strength, he should be adequate at pass protection, too, once he becomes more adept at picking up the blitz. Intelligent, he's been praised for his intangibles. Major concern is injury history - he broke a leg in 2004 and had knee injuries in the previous two years, although last season he had 300-plus carries.

LENDALE WHITE, Southern California, 6-1 1/2, 235, junior -Big and strong, he runs low and can punish defenders at the point of attack. Good at pushing the pile and making a quick cutback. Always seems to be falling forward, and has been praised as having a nose for the end zone. Excellent history of ball protection, which is good because he's not particularly elusive. Lacks elite speed. Decent pass catcher. Not as celebrated as teammate Bush, but more likely to be a traditional chain-moving RB in the NFL. Cousin is Detroit Pistons guard Chauncey Billups, but might not have his cousin's work ethic.

LAURENCE MARONEY, Minnesota, 5-10 1/2, 211, junior - Explosive and fast, he's tough to bring down in the open field, but should be stoppable in traffic. Doesn't hesitate to hit the hole. Needs work to become useful as a receiver or as a blocker, but could potentially excel at both, especially pass catching. Takes care of the football. The Sporting News notes he would be likely star on a team that uses a zone-blocking scheme like the Broncos.

JOSEPH ADDAI, LSU, 5-11, 214 - A decisive runner who hits the hole immediately and with good burst. Has an excellent second gear after finding space. He's also a dangerous runner after catching a pass. Can create mismatches by lining up in the slot or coming out of the backfield. Lacks the size to be a pile pusher. Played much of his college career in a rotation; can he be a workhorse back? Needs to add size.

OTHERS TO WATCH:

- Garrett Mills, Tulsa. Star at tight end for Golden Hurricane. At 6-1, is probably too small to play the position in the NFL, so he'll probably project as an H-back or fullback. Excellent hands, he'll be a nice mismatch as a receiver.

- Jerious Norwood, Mississippi State. Fast, especially once he explodes through the hole. Scrappy and a hard worker, could also contribute on special teams.

- Leon Washington, Florida State. Powerful runner for his height (5-9), he's hard to hit cleanly and harder to bring down. Durability concerns abound.

- Brian Calhoun, Wisconsin. Quick to hit the hole, he lacks the size to be a north-south runner and the agility to shake tacklers. Might be a decent third-down back.

- Maurice Drew, UCLA. Shifty and explosive, he runs with excellent vision. Not a pile pusher by any means. Also has some durability issues and is small.

- Jerome Harrison, Washington State. Quick and elusive, he's also a receiving threat. Lacks ideal size and has struggled to protect the football in the past.

- Gerald Riggs Jr., Tennessee. Son of former Pro Bowler Gerald Riggs. A physical, bulldozer type, but he needs to improve his leverage and route running. Should develop into a good blocker.

---TIGHT ENDS

POSITION OUTLOOK: A deep haul of tight ends is available for teams looking to add another dimension in the passing game, or just acquire a big target for use on third downs and in the red zone. After eyeing the success of such players as Antonio Gates, Tony Gonzalez, Jeremy Shockey, Alge Crumpler and Todd Heap, other teams will be looking for elite TEs of their own. This draft could produce a couple.

VERNON DAVIS, Maryland, 6-3 1/4, 254, junior - Not quite as big as some star pros, but has exceptional athleticism and soft hands. Can embarrass defenders in man coverage, and has shown a knack for finding soft spots in zone coverage. Not much of a blocker, but teams won't be eyeing him for that duty.

MARCEDES LEWIS, UCLA, 6-6 1/2, 261 - Good receiver and big target who excels at catching the jump ball. Very agile and athletic. Has been praised for consistent ability to take out moving LBs. Will probably struggle to block DEs along the line, though. Needs to add some bulk. Route running and comprehension of zone defenses could use some work.

LEONARD POPE, Georgia, 6-7 3/4, 258, junior. Likely to be one of the tallest players on the field at any time, he also has long arms and soft hands, which should make QBs happy. Should be a vertical passing threat as well as a possession type. Plays well vs. zone coverage, but is likely to struggle one-on-one. His build means he could become an excellent blocker, too, although strong players could stand him up.

JOE KLOPFENSTEIN, Colorado, 6-5 3/4, 255 - Has drawn comparisons to Baltimore's Heap. Speed, long arms and leaping ability make him a top receiving threat. Can adjust well to inaccurate balls. Technically sound as a blocker, but needs to add strength and bulk to take on DEs. Moved up draft boards with excellent Senior Bowl and combine.

ANTHONY FASANO, Notre Dame, 6-4, 259, junior - A step down from the previous four prospects. Not a threat to stretch the field, he should be dangerous enough as a possession receiver. Reads defenses well and has good hands. Quick enough to gain separation off the line against all but the quickest defenders. Technically sound blocker, but needs to add bulk.

OTHERS TO WATCH:

- Dominique Byrd, Southern California. Shorter than is ideal, he should make a nice receiving H-back. Excellent hands and route-running ability.

- David Thomas, Texas. Excellent routes, he knows how to get open, especially in the end zone. Not much to contribute as a blocker.

- Owen Daniels, Wisconsin. A former QB with raw potential. Fast, and has excellent hands.

- Greg Estandia, UNLV. His height, at 6-7 1/4, might convince a team to take a flyer on him. Could become a red-zone threat with a lot of work.

---WIDE RECEIVERS

POSITION OUTLOOK: Not a particularly deep group, but there is talent. Chad Jackson and Santonio Holmes figure to be locks as the top two wideouts taken, the only question is who goes first. After that, there are lots of players with potential, but also red flags. Sinorice Moss is short, Maurice Stovall is inconsistent and Jason Avant is solid, but unspectacular.

SANTONIO HOLMES, Ohio State, 5-10 1/2, junior - Sneaky, elusive speedster who is skilled at getting open against zone and man coverages. Secure hands, albeit has the occasional lapse in concentration. Can make defenders miss after the catch and is fearless going over the middle. Should be able to contribute as a punt returner, too. Lacks ideal size and could be neutralized by physical cornerbacks. Durable.

CHAD JACKSON, Florida, 6-0 3/4, 213, junior - A burner with good hands and the willingness to take a hit over the middle. Can make the acrobatic catch, and should be good for yards after the catch, too. Has the frame to be a good blocker. His route running needs work, and he can be slow when making cuts. Not a great reader of zone defenses.

SINORICE MOSS, Miami, 5-8 - Flat-out fast. Has good hands, and reacts well to off-target passes. His size will always be a limitation, especially vs. physical cornerbacks. Is a major threat after the catch, and shows the ability to create mismatches as a slot receiver. His special teams experience is mostly as a gunner in coverage, but scouts think he can become a returner. Younger brother of Santana Moss (Redskins).

MAURICE STOVALL, Notre Dame, 6-4 1/2, Notre Dame - His combination of size and speed should prove attractive on draft day. Long arms, big hands and leaping ability should help him exploit frequent mismatches, although he's better when using his body to keep defenders at bay. Not particularly elusive. He has drawn criticism for lacking the desire to go over the middle, and too frequent dropped balls. Needs to improve his blocking, especially his aggressiveness. Not a great reader of defenses. Durability and consistency are also concerns.

JASON AVANT, Michigan, 6-0 1/2, 212 - Has possession receiver written all over him. Is reliable and consistent. Can make plays in traffic and adjust to poorly thrown balls. Crisp route runner, he can outwit DBs in man coverage. Ability to read zone defenses helps make up for lack of elite speed. Not much of a threat after the catch. Occasionally turns upfield before securing ball.

OTHERS TO WATCH

- Demetrius Williams, Oregon. Risky, but has lots of upside.

- Derek Hagan, Arizona State. An Avant-type who runs routes well and can get open. Needs to be more consistent.

- Greg Jennings, Western Michigan. Three-year starter who lacks ideal speed and size, but has good instincts and could be a find.

- Devin Aromashodu, Auburn. Burner who needs to learn to read defenses better. Could help on special teams.

- Mike Hass, Oregon State. Good hands, and an ability to shake defenders and free himself downfield, he's slower and shorter than most teams would like.

---OFFENSIVE LINEMEN

POSITION OUTLOOK: After elite prospects D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Winston Justice are gone, there's plenty of value at guard. Some players who project as late first-day picks, such as Charles Spencer and Deuce Lutui, could become elite with the right coaching and work ethic.

D'BRICKASHAW FERGUSON, Virginia, 6-6, 312 - Big and beyond nimble, he's actually athletic, with a great first step and excellent wingspan. Rarely out of position and almost impossible to beat except by brute strength. He can direct pass rushers almost at will. Less impressive as a run blocker, but that could improve with added bulk, so long as his quickness isn't compromised. Honors student. Will almost certainly be the top offensive lineman taken, and likely to be among the first five picks. The perfect insurance policy for a young, franchise QB.

WINSTON JUSTICE, Southern California, 6-6 1/4, 320, junior - Played right tackle in college, protecting Matt Leinart's blind side. Excellent pass protector, with a long wingspan and quick feet. Showed character and maturity issues prior to 2005 season. Should show some mobility in the running game, but overall needs to add some bulk and work on minor technical issues.

DAVIN JOSEPH, Oklahoma, 6-2 1/2, 311 - Mean streak and aggressiveness help make up for smallish size. Good mobile blocker, can clear out linebackers when pulling and trapping. In pass protection, relies on his quickness and long arms. Excellent hand punch and is tough to beat one-on-one. Played left tackle for the Sooners, but is likely to be a guard in the NFL. Needs to recognize blitzes and stunts better.

MAX JEAN-GILLES, Georgia, 6-3 3/4, 355 - A mammoth and overwhelming guard, he can handle most defenders at the point of attack. Conditioning and motivation could be ongoing issues. Not an ideal candidate for teams that pull and trap a lot, but he could be an excellent middle-of-the-line blocker for a power-running team. In pass protection, his quickness isn't ideal, but isn't bad, either. Tough to beat one-on-one against the rush, with his bulk and wingspan. His footwork and positioning are usually superior.

MARCUS MCNEILL, Auburn, 6-7 1/2, 332. Massive, sun-blotting size is just one of his impressive measurables. He's also fast, nimble and has long arms. Shows impressive lateral mobility and is an obstacle for pass rushers to get around. Weight likely to remain an issue, along with a spinal condition. A solid all-around tackle prospect.

OTHERS TO WATCH

- Nick Mangold, Ohio State. The top center in the draft by far. Strong, but not overpowering, he should be adequate except against mammoth, two-gap tackles. Smart and durable.

- Eric Winston, Miami. A former TE who moves well.

- Deuce Lutui, Southern California. Big, but nimble. A project, but one with lots of potential.

- Charles Spencer, Pittsburgh. Raw, but with upside, he's strong and willing to learn. Durability a concern.

- Daryn Colledge, Boise State. Bruiser who plays with a mean streak, but needs to add some size. Always well-positioned.

- Andrew Whitworth, LSU. A mauler who struggles when not punishing defenders directly in front of him.

MORE -- Defensive Player Profiles

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