Tier Five (41-50)
Connor Barwin, DE/OLB/TE, Cincinnati:
All-Big East as a tight end in 2007, then all-Big East as a defensive end last season. Also played college basketball… Has very good athletic ability and gives top effort… Has quickness… At 256 pounds, ran a 4.61 and had a 40 ½-inch vertical jump at the combine… Also a good blocker… Needs to learn and focus on one position.
Darius Butler, CB, Connecticut:
Cousin and uncle both played in NFL… Had 11-foot, 2-inch broad jump and 41 ½-inch vertical jump at the combine… Has good quickness and athletic ability… Can play wide receiver… Thin, with narrow hips… Had trouble against Rutgers' Kenny Britt.
Patrick Chung, S, Oregon:
Started 51 games for the Ducks… Strong (25 reps at the combine), tough and aggressive player… Looked good at combine drills… Ran 4.51 at 212 pounds… Good special teams player.
Louis Delmas, S, Western Michigan:
Has been a four-year starter… Tough, with good coverage ability… Had 37 ½-inch vertical jump and ran 6.71 three-cone drill… Good leader who will be a good special teams player.
Jarron Gilbert, DE, San Jose State:
Father Daren played OT for the New Orleans Saints… Good combine numbers (4.85 40 and 35 ½-inch vertical jump at 288 pounds)… Has 36 ¾-inch arms… While he had 9.5 sacks and 22 tackles for loss in 2008, he might have better upside as an offensive tackle… Does not go all-out on every down.
Cornelius Ingram, TE, Florida:
Outstanding athlete who passes the eye test… Came to Florida as a quarterback… Missed the 2008 season with a torn ACL… Tough, with very good hands… Ran 4.65 at 245 pounds… Can gain 20 more pounds… Needs to learn how to block.
Phil Loadholt, OL, Oklahoma:
A big man (6-foot7 ¾) with long arms (36 ½ inches)… Plays hard and will not back down… Will be best at right tackle… Very good basketball player; his sister is a basketball player… Good person, though he did have a DUI in June of 2008.
Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina:
Started 35 games over three years… First player in North Carolina history to have 1,000 receiving yards (1,222 in 2008, on 68 catches)… Set 14 Carolina receiving records… Outstanding athlete who looks taller than his 6-0 ¾ measurement… Not great speed, but can find the open area… Was outstanding vs. West Virginia in bowl game.
D.J. Moore, CB, Vanderbilt:
Three-year starter who is leaving school early… Good athlete, he was South Carolina's state high jump champion in high school… Not very tall (5-8 7/8) but has good ball skills… Has ability to close on the ball and flashes wide receiver skills… Can return kicks… Height is a disadvantage against tall receivers.
Clint Sintim, LB, Virginia:
Had 11 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss in 2008… Can play with his hands on the ground or in space… Has good strength and speed… Some college opponents thought he was just as good in 2007 as former teammate and first-round pick Chris Long… Most likely better than my rating.
