Day 1 of the draft is a wrap, and 56 of the 63 players selected were among my top 70 players in my Hot 100. That means 14 players among that top 70 are prime targets to be called early Sunday morning when Round 3 begins.
Here are the 14 players:
**Jamaal Charles**, RB, Texas
Played as a true freshman in 2005, starting three games. ... Started 13 games in 2007 and gained 1,619 yards, including one game against Nebraska in which he ran for 216 yards in the fourth quarter. ... Best traits are speed and outside running ability.
**Pat Sims**, DT, Auburn
Redshirted in 2004 and quit the team in 2005. The fact that they let him return means they probably knew he was very good. ... Started 13 games in 2007, his only year as a starter. ... Best traits are quickness and athletic ability.
**
**
**Jeremy Thompson**, DE/LB, Wake Forest
Has long arms (35 3/8 inches). ... Had an outstanding cone drill (6.97) at the combine. ... Started three games as a true freshman in 2004 and was a regular starter the next three years when healthy. ... Had an 86-yard interception return, the second-longest in school history. ... Best traits are quickness, speed and long arms.
**
**
**Dan Connor**, LB, Penn State
Started four games as a true freshman in 2004, then started at both middle and outside linebacker over the last three seasons. ... Had a very good cone drill (6.78). ... Best traits are productivity and competitiveness.
**
**
**Marcus Harrison**, DT, Arkansas
Went to prep school before attending Arkansas, and then became the first position player to start his first game as a freshman for the Razorbacks in 22 years. ... Started 34 games in four years. ... Best traits are quickness and long arms (34 3/8 inches).
**
**
Cliff Avril, DE, Purdue; Bryan Kehl, LB, BYU; Justin King, CB, Penn State ;Mario Manningham, WR, Michigan; Tyvon Branch, CB, Connecticut; Oniel Cousins, OL, UTEP; Tavares Gooden, LB, Miami (Fla.); DaJuan Morgan, S, N.C. State; Kevin Smith, RB, Central Florida
