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Cal lost a chance at the No. 1 ranking, losing at home Oregon State. Despite the loss, Cal WR Lavelle Hawkins saw his NFL draft stock rise dramatically. He proved to be almost unstoppable, finishing with nine receptions for 192 yards (21.3 yards per catch) and two touchdowns.


Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

Lavelle Hawkins had a season-high nine receptions against Oregon State.
Hawkins has blazing speed, shows excellent hands and concentration, has great feet and is able to accelerate and locate the deep ball as well as any receiver in the country, and that's why he debuts on this week's Top 25 Big Board at No. 25.


1. Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU (6-2, 292) | Previous: Same
Disruptive force along the interior. If there is one non-skill position player fans should watch, Dorsey is the one because, despite constant double-teams, he is always making plays or opening up space for his teammates.


2. Jake Long, OT, Michigan (6-6, 320) | Previous: Same
Top-drawer left- or right-tackle prospect.



3. Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College (6-4, 223) | Previous: 5
He has the size and arm to wow the NFL brass during testing.


4. Chris Long, DE, Virginia (6-4, 282) | Previous: Same
A 3-4 defensive end with great bloodlines who understands leverage and uses his hands as well as any D-lineman in the country.


5. Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC (6-1, 297) | Previous: 3
Tampa Bay Bucs-style DT with superior quickness and a nonstop motor.


6. Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville (6-3, 223) Previous: Same
Polished pure passer in the Jim Kelly mold; however, Brohm has thrown four INTs in the past three games.


7. Dan Connor, LB, Penn State (6-2?, 231) | Previous: Same
Big-play performer who finds the ball.


8. Andre' Woodson, QB, Kentucky (6-5, 232) | Previous: Same
Big and mobile with a rocket arm.


9. Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida (5-11?, 202) | Previous: Same
He has excellent recovery speed and the toughness you look for in a cornerback. His size allows him to match up with an opponent's No. 1 wide receiver.


10. Ali Highsmith, LB, LSU (6-1, 225) | Previous: 11
Showed tremendous potential in 2005 before taking a step back as a junior. Highsmith is re-establishing himself as one of the top linebackers in the SEC.


11. Chevis Jackson, CB, LSU (6-0, 185) | Previous: 16
LSU is loaded on defense and Jackson leads the way in the secondary for the Tigers. Very strong at supporting the run and has been a reliable performer the last three years.


12. Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina (6-4, 298) | Previous: 14
Unbelievably talented player who is primed for a breakout season.


13. Sam Baker, OT, USC (6-4?, 310) | Previous: 12
Exceptional pass-blocker with superb technique.


14. Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College (6-6?, 320) | Previous: 13
Should thrive in 2007 with move from right to left tackle.


15. Lavelle Hawkins, WR, California (5-11, 183) | Previous: Unranked
Standout performer on offense for the Golden Bears this season. Hawkins has really impressed me with his tremendous burst out of his break, sure hands and big-play ability.


16. Tony Hills, OT, Texas (6-5, 302) | Previous: 15
Greatly improved technique. Combine that with great athleticism and Hills is one of the more intriguing offensive line prospects in the country.



17. Keith Rivers, LB, USC (6-3, 233) | Previous: 10
Has the skill set to become a super blue-chipper.


18. Quentin Groves, DE, Auburn (6-3, 251) | Previous: 17
Speed rusher with the talent to rank as one of the more feared sack artists in the nation. An injury (three dislocated toes suffered against Florida) could slow him down the next couple of weeks.


19. DeJuan Tribble, CB, Boston College (5-9, 191) | Previous: 20
Off to a strong start in 2007 with four INT and seven pass break-ups in first seven games.


20. Lawrence Jackson, DE, USC (6-4, 266) | Previous: 18
A strong finish to 2006 has carried over to the first month of the season.


21. Eric Young, OL, Tennessee (6-4, 309) | Previous: Unranked
A versatile lineman who started at right tackle as a junior before moving to the left side this season. Young is one of the key reasons why QB Erik Ainge has been sacked just once in six games this season.


22. Darrell Robertson, DE, Georgia Tech (6-5, 251) | Previous: Same
Impressive quickness off the snap, Robertson has the potential to be an outstanding pass-rusher in the NFL.



23. Kellen Davis, TE, Michigan State (6-5, 258) | Previous: 21
Not only the top tight end in the senior class, but Davis has shown his athleticism on both sides of the ball, playing situational defensive end at times. Expect to see his number called on offense more in the coming weeks.



24. Shawn Crable, DE/OLB, (6-4, 245) | Previous: Same
You can see that Crable is starting to put it all together in 2007. He's been lining up as a down defensive end most of the time this season, but he'd be ideal as an OLB in a 3-4 defense in the NFL.


25. Frank Okam, DT, Texas (6-5, 318) | Previous: 23
Great physical ability and overall potential.


DROPPED
Early Doucet, WR, LSU (5-11?, 205) | Previous: 19
Super-talented, is LSU's go-to option this season, although he has been slowed by injuries early in the season.

Limas Sweed, WR, Texas (6-4, 217) | Previous: 25
TD-maker who plays fast with pads on. Struggled early with an ankle injury and was shut down recently by Kansas State.


Click here to send a question to Mel Kiper for possible use on ESPNEWS.

 

Quarterbacks
1. Matt Ryan, Boston College
2. Brian Brohm, Louisville
3. Andre' Woodson, Kentucky


4. John David Booty, USC
5. Chad Henne, Michigan




Running Backs
1. Mike Hart, Michigan
2. Jacob Hester, LSU
3. Ryan Torain, Arizona State
4. Tashard Choice, Georgia Tech


5. Chris Johnson, East Carolina


Fullbacks
1. Owen Schmitt, West Virginia
2. Peyton Hillis, Arkansas


3. Jerome Felton, Furman
4. Mike Cox, Georgia Tech
5. Michael Pitre, UCLA


Wide Receivers
1. Lavelle Hawkins, California 2. Early Doucet, LSU
3. Limas Sweed, Texas


4. Adarius Bowman, Oklahoma State
5. Donnie Avery, Houston


Tight Ends
1. Kellen Davis, Michigan State
2. Fred Davis, USC
3. John Carlson, Notre Dame
4. Martin Rucker, Missouri


5. Dustin Keller, Purdue


Offensive Tackles
1. Jake Long, Michigan
2. Sam Baker, USC
3. Gosder Cherilus, Boston College
4. Tony Hills, Texas
5. Chris Williams, Vanderbilt


Offensive Guards
1. Eric Young, Tennessee
2. Jacky Claude, Florida St.
3. Andrew Crummey, Maryland
4. Roy Schuening, Oregon St.


5. Jordan Grimes, Purdue


Centers
1. Steve Justice, Wake Forest
2. Cody Wallace, Texas A&M
3. Kory Lichtensteiger, Bowling Green
4. John Sullivan, Notre Dame
5. Mike Pollak, Arizona St.


Defensive Ends
1. Chris Long, Virginia
2. Quentin Groves, Auburn
3. Lawrence Jackson, USC
4. Darrell Robertson, Georgia Tech
5. Jeremy Thompson, Wake Forest


Defensive Tackles
1. Glenn Dorsey, LSU
2. Sedrick Ellis, USC
3. Kentwan Balmer, North Carolina
4. Frank Okam, Texas
5. James McClinton, Kansas


Inside Linebackers
1. Dan Connor, Penn St.
2. Jonathan Goff, Vanderbilt
3. Ben Moffitt, South Florida
4. J Leman, Illinois
5. Vince Hall, Virginia Tech


Outside Linebackers
1. Ali Highsmith, LSU
2. Keith Rivers, USC
3. Shawn Crable, Michigan
4. Xavier Adibi, Virginia Tech
5. Bruce Davis, UCLA


Cornerbacks
1. Mike Jenkins, South Florida
2. Chevis Jackson, LSU
3. DeJuan Tribble, Boston College
4. Trae Williams, South Florida
5. Terrell Thomas, USC


Safeties


1. Marcus Griffin, Texas
2. Jamar Adams, Michigan
3. Thomas DeCoud, California
4. Craig Steltz, LSU
5. Tony Joiner, Florida



Place-Kickers
1. Brandon Coutu, Georgia
2. Rob Zarrilli, Hofstra
3. Arthur Carmody, Louisville
4. Alexis Serna, Oregon St.
5. Jeremy Ito, Rutgers


Punters
1. Durant Brooks, Georgia Tech
2. Mike Dragosavich, North Dakota State
3. Benjamin Dato, Fordham
4. Ben Woods, Buffalo
5. Andrew Larson, California


Top 5 Juniors By Position

Quarterbacks
1. Nate Longshore, California
2. Hunter Cantwell, Louisville
3. Curtis Painter, Purdue
4. Chase Daniel, Missouri
5. Graham Harrell, Texas Tech


Running Backs
1. Darren McFadden, Arkansas
2. Felix Jones, Arkansas
3. Jonathan Stewart, Oregon


4. Steve Slaton, West Virginia
5. Rashard Mendenhall, Illinois


Fullbacks
1. Conredge Collins, Pittsburgh
2. Brock Bolen, Louisville
3. Asaph Schwapp, Notre Dame
4. Brannan Southerland, Georgia
5. Jason Cook, Mississippi



Wide Receivers
1. DeSean Jackson, California
2. Malcolm Kelly, Oklahoma
3. Earl Bennett, Vanderbilt
4. James Hardy, Indiana
5. Juaquin Iglesias, Oklahoma


Tight Ends
1. Cornelius Ingram, Florida
2. Martellus Bennett, Texas A&M
3. Travis Beckum, Wisconsin
4. Chase Coffman, Missouri
5. Darius Hill, Ball St.



Offensive Tackles
1. Ryan Clady, Boise State
2. Alex Boone, Ohio State
3. Michael Oher, Mississippi
4. Phil Loadholt, Oklahoma
5. Dace Richardson, Iowa


Offensive Guards
1. Duke Robinson, Oklahoma
2. Jeremy Perry, Oregon State
3. Matt Slauson, Nebraska
4. Branden Albert, Virginia
5. Herman Johnson, LSU


Centers
1. Alex Mack, California
2. Antoine Caldwell, Alabama
3. Max Unger, Oregon
4. Jonathan Luigs, Arkansas
5. A.Q. Shipley, Penn St.


Defensive Ends
1. Calais Campbell, Miami
2. Tyson Jackson, LSU
3. Vernon Gholston, Ohio St.
4. Derrick Harvey, Florida


5. Phillip Merling, Clemson


Defensive Tackles
1. Terrance Taylor, Michigan
2. Fili Moala, USC
3. Pat Sims, Auburn
4. Jeff Owens, Georgia
5. George Hypolite, Colorado


Inside Linebackers
1. James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
2. Rey Maualuga, USC
3. Darry Beckwith, LSU
4. Curtis Lofton, Oklahoma
5. Antonio Appleby, Virginia


Outside Linebackers
1. Brian Cushing, USC
2. Sean Lee, Penn State
3. Erin Henderson, Maryland
4. Marcus Freeman, Ohio St.
5. Zack Follett, California


Cornerbacks
1. Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio St.
2. Reggie Smith, Oklahoma


3. Aqib Talib, Kansas
4. Justin King, Penn State
5. Brandon Flowers, Virginia Tech


Safeties
1. Kenny Phillips, Miami
2. Nic Harris, Oklahoma
3. Courtney Greene, Rutgers
4. Patrick Chung, Oregon
5. Reshard Langford, Vanderbilt


Place-Kickers
1. Sam Swank, Wake Forest
2. Patrick Shadle, Syracuse
3. Louie Sakoda, Utah
4. Conor Lee, Pittsburgh
5. Jeff Wolfert, Missouri


Punters
1. Britton Colquitt, Tennessee
2. Chris Miller, Ball State
3. A.J. Trapasso, Ohio State
4. Aaron Perez, UCLA
5. Justin Brantly, Texas A&M


Click here to send a question to Mel Kiper for possible use on ESPNEWS.

 

To Rambo: If you're Jets GM, and consider they choose somewhere between 6-10, who do you pick?

 

1. Chris Long - DE - UVA - Provides depth / upgrade at a key positison in the 3-4. Also can fill a hole in the 4-3 hybrid defense the Jets play. His ability to play in both systems will allow the Jets to mix things up on defense and not lock them into a single system. Ellis's contract is up after the 2010 season. He is a versatile athlete and can play with his hand on or off the ground.

2. Chris Williams - Vandy - OT - Smart, big offensive tackle that can take over the right side of the line for years to come. His stock is low at the moment, but following the Wonderlic / strength measurements used at the combine, he will fly up draft boards.

3. Red Bryant - DT - TX A&M - Big body to fill up the middle in the 3-4 or the 4-3. This is the pick that Jets fans have been clamoring for in recent years.

4. Roy Scheuning - OG - Oregon St. - Someone has to slip in the draft, and guards are an undervalued position. Although the Jets end up missing out on a sure pass rushing OLB (hopefully they can pick one up in free agency). they do solidfy their offensive line. Scheuning has the size and leadership to make a difference quick.

 

hmmm... while I'm no expert, the players I would take in order at this point would probably be:

1. Chris Long
2. Quentin Groves
3. Calais Campbell
4. Jake Long
5. Desean Jackson

I think all have a shot of being available. Some are better fits than others (Long, Groves) but others present better value (Campbell, Jackson) if we are picking closer to 10th. If we are top 5 like we are now, I'd say we are a lock to either take Chris Long or trade down given that the teams in front of us will probably be Miami, St. Louis, Atlanta and/or Buffalo. That being the case Dorsey, Woodson, Jackson and Jake Long might be gone as well as Campbell, potentially another QB either Brohm or Ryan.

It is still early to project but that is probably my list right now.

 

You would think Jets brass loves Chris Long. Smart, tough, coached by Groh (not my fav, but sure has Tangini's respect); and is beast on the d-line with good genes - long, not wide-length.

 

Long is great, but are Ellis/Coleman really the weak link on this team? I think we have much bigger holes to fill, unless we switch to a 4-3 and move Coleman inside. Personally I'd much rather see us grab a guy like Jake Long or trade back and pick up a DT like Okam and a top WR to pair with Cotchery for the long-term. Coles doesn't really factor in KC's long-term development.

 

While DE might be (relatively speaking) a strong point for the Jets, with the state of this defense, if you believe Long is truly a difference maker, you have to take him. Also, if you're going to talk about taking a WR for the long-term, I think you can make the same argument for DE since Ellis is just as old as Coles.